Overview
- Kelly Ripa underwent a gum graft procedure and is recovering under medical orders that limit her speech and eating.
- Her husband and cohost Mark Consuelos announced the surgery on the program and said Ripa is doing well despite significant pain.
- Kevin Jonas filled in for Ripa on the July 27 episode and was confirmed to return the next day to keep the show on air.
- Ripa’s post-operative rules include no talking, a soft-food diet, no straws, and no inspecting the surgical site, and her rep told People she is expected to miss about a week of broadcasts.
- A gum graft transplants tissue to cover receded gums and commonly requires short-term limits on speech and oral activity to protect healing tissue.