Kelly Ripa misses Live after painful gum graft surgery
Kelly Ripa is absent from Live with Kelly and Mark after undergoing a painful gum graft surgery, her husband and cohost Mark Consuelos told viewers Monday. She is recovering well but under doctor's orders not to talk, while Kevin Jonas and other guest hosts fill in.
Key Takeaways
- Kelly Ripa missed the July 27, 2026, episode of Live with Kelly and Mark while recovering from gum graft surgery.
- Mark Consuelos said she is "doing well" and "doing great," but her doctor ordered her not to talk.
- Kevin Jonas guest-hosted Monday and returns Tuesday; Mila Kunis, Pamela Adlon, and Scott Foley fill in later in the week.
- Recovery rules include soft foods only, no straws, and not examining the surgical site.
- A spokesperson told People that Ripa is expected to be out for about a week.
Why is Kelly Ripa missing from Live?
Consuelos opened Monday's show by thanking Jonas for "flying the plane" with him and sharing that Kelly Ripa had gum graft surgery. The procedure replaces lost tissue around the teeth, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
He recalled that her dentist flagged the work about five years ago, saying she could do it "in about five years." Ripa joked at the time that she did not think she would still be on the air by then.
Both Ripa and Consuelos are 55. He has cohosted the syndicated morning show with her since 2023; the couple wed in 1996.
How painful is Kelly Ripa's recovery?
Consuelos said the recovery has been "painful," even though Ripa "famously doesn't feel pain." He noted she often skips Novocain at the dentist, "but this one hurts," which told him the discomfort was serious.
Beyond not talking, she must eat soft foods, avoid straws, and refrain from inspecting the surgical site. Consuelos said he is trying to keep her compliant: "Follow the rules, follow the directions."
They have been communicating by phone. When she asked him to look at the site, he refused to pull her lip down; she tilted her head so he could glance and tell her it "looks great."
Who is filling in for Kelly Ripa this week?
Jonas stepped in Monday and is scheduled to return Tuesday, July 28. Consuelos said Ripa "sends her love." Jonas joked that not talking "has got to be the hardest thing that she's ever done," drawing a laugh from Consuelos, who called her "such a great conversationalist."
Mila Kunis, Pamela Adlon, and Scott Foley are set to join Consuelos for the rest of the week. Coverage of celebrity news and other trending stories also continues in our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.
Page Six reported that a spokesperson told People Ripa is expected to miss the show for the next week as she heals.