Mark Consuelos is stepping up to the hosting plate with the help of celebrity friends while his wife, Kelly Ripa, recovers at home from a gum graft surgery. The 5-year-old revealed the news on Monday, July 27, introducing Kevin Jonas, who filled in for her. "Kelly sends her love," Mark said.
© Disney via Getty ImagesAccording to Mark, Kelly is recovering well and doing "great," but she is under strict instructions and not allowed to talk. Considering Ripa has made a career off yapping, Jonas quipped, “Wow. That’s got to be the hardest thing she’s ever done."
© GettyThe father of 3 laughed and agreed that she's a great "conversationalist," and explained that he's been doing his best to keep her in line. “I’m trying to keep her to follow the rules, follow the directions,” he said. Along with not talking, she has to eat soft food, can't suck out of a straw, and she can't examine the surgery site. "Which means pulling down the lip," Mark explained.
But last night, Kelly got a bit curious. "She like, 'can you look?'" Mark said, imitating the way she was talking. "I'm like, ' I'm not pulling your lip down," he said. So Ripa bent down and got in a position where he didn't have to pull her lip, but he could still see. "So I'm down, I'm like 'it looks great," he said, laughing.
© GettyMark confirmed it's a very painful surgery after Kevin asked. And if Ripa is feeling it, it must be very bad. "She famously doesn't feel pain," Consuelos said. "When she goes into the dentist, she doesn’t really use the novocaine. But this one hurts, so I know it’s bad.”
Kelly said his wife Danielle Jonas is the same way when it comes to having a high pain tolerance. “I’ll be like, ‘Are you in pain?’ She’s like, ‘I’m fine!’ Come to find out her foot’s, like, falling off,” he joked.
That prompted the best response from Mark, "Well, they do have kids. They deliver kids,” he said. “We’re not built for that.”
© GettyAccording to the American Academy of Periodontology, a gum graft is used to treat gum recession by covering exposed tooth roots with gum tissue. The procedure can help reduce sensitivity, protect the roots from decay and further recession, and improve the appearance of the gumline.
Mark explained, “Her dentist said five years ago, ‘You can do it in about five years,'" which made Ripa reflect on her time on the show. He said she admitted, "I didn’t think I’d still be on the air in five years!’”
© GettyAccording to PEOPLE, Ripa will be off air for the next week, with Kevin returning Tuesday, followed by Mila Kunis, Pamela Adlon and Scott Foley.
