Mark Consuelos is finally dealing with a painful health issue he says he has been putting off for about a year. The 55-year-old Live with Kelly and Mark co-host revealed during the Friday, Sept. 25 episode that he was scheduled to undergo surgery on his big toe after the show. Consuelos explained that an arthritic condition had become painful enough that it was time to address it.
“Today’s the day,” Consuelos announced before revealing, “I’ve been putting off this toe surgery for about a year.” While surgery is no laughing matter, Consuelos and his wife and co-host, Kelly Ripa, kept their signature back-and-forth going as they discussed what was coming next.
© Getty ImagesWhy Is Mark Consuelos Having Toe Surgery?
Consuelos explained that the problem involves arthritis in his big toe. When Ripa jokingly questioned whether he was getting the procedure to improve his golf game, Consuelos clarified that the problem was more serious than that. “It’s arthritic and it hurts,” he said of the toe.
Consuelos has previously discussed experiencing foot problems after years of playing soccer. In November 2024, he said on Live that playing the sport had resulted in turf toe and described the resulting condition as arthritic. He also revealed that he had previously undergone surgery on his left foot.
© WireImageAt the time, Consuelos was already talking about the possibility of another operation in the future. That procedure apparently remained on the back burner until now.
Mark Consuelos Calls His Procedure ‘Major Surgery’
Ripa made sure her husband did not get too dramatic about the operation. During the show, she joked that his toe procedure was “basically” a pedicure, prompting Consuelos to defend the seriousness of what he was about to undergo. “This is a major surgery,” Consuelos insisted.
© GettyHe then jokingly compared the operation to “a C-section for your toe,” which naturally gave Ripa an opening for a comeback.
He said the arthritic toe hurt when he stood on it and acknowledged that he needed help with the condition.
Kelly Ripa Planned to Be by Mark Consuelos’ Side
Ripa revealed that she would accompany Consuelos for his procedure, although she joked that she had an ulterior motive.
The longtime TV host was particularly interested in seeing what her husband might say as he emerged from anesthesia.
© GC ImagesConsuelos agreed that patients can say “funny, funny things” after receiving medication, while Ripa reminded him that she already has footage from his previous foot surgery.
The couple also discussed what Consuelos would need during his recovery. Consuelos jokingly requested that Ripa put down her phone and remove her AirPods so she could be fully present while he recuperated. Ripa, meanwhile, suggested ways he could keep himself occupied while staying off his foot, including reading, journaling, knitting and playing games.
Consuelos had another idea for his recovery gear, joking that he planned to “bedazzle my boot.”
Mark Consuelos Fasted Before His Toe Surgery
The procedure was already affecting Consuelos before he reached the operating room.
He told viewers that he was feeling slightly “loopy” because he had not eaten, saying he had been fasting ahead of surgery. Ripa expressed surprise at the length of his reported preoperative fast.
© WireImageConsuelos made no secret of how much he wanted food, joking during the episode that he could easily be persuaded to eat.
Will Mark Consuelos Miss Live With Kelly and Mark?
The surgery raised an obvious question for viewers: Will Consuelos have to step away from Live with Kelly and Mark while he recovers?
Entertainment Weekly reported that Consuelos is not expected to take time off because of the procedure and could be back on Live as early as Monday. That would make his recovery considerably different from Ripa's recent experience.
© GettyRipa returned to Live on Sept. 8 after spending approximately six weeks away following gum graft surgery in late July. She had delayed that procedure for five years and faced restrictions during recovery, including instructions limiting how much she could speak.
Consuelos helped care for Ripa while she recovered. Now, their roles have been reversed.
