Kelly Ripa missed the July 27 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark as she recovers from gum graft surgery.
Kevin Jonas stepped in as co-host alongside her husband, Mark Consuelos.
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Ripa, 55, underwent the procedure to replace lost gum tissue.
Consuelos, 55, shared that while recovery has been painful, Ripa is doing well but cannot speak per doctor's orders.
Consuelos explained that Ripa's dentist had predicted the surgery about five years ago. "Her dentist said five years ago, 'You can do it in about five years.'
And she joked, she was like, 'I didn't think I'd still be on the air in five years,'" he said.
Despite the pain, Ripa is complying with post-surgery rules: no talking, soft foods only, no straws, and no examining the surgical site.
"She's not allowed to talk," Consuelos said, to which Jonas responded, "Wow. That's gotta be the hardest thing she's ever done."
Consuelos noted Ripa's high pain tolerance but admitted this surgery was particularly painful.
"When she goes into the dentist, she doesn't really use the Novocain, but this one hurts," he said.
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Communication between Ripa and Consuelos is currently limited to phone conversations.
Jonas, who is hosting the show with Consuelos this week, expressed empathy as his wife also has a high pain threshold.
Jonas remarked, "An incredible pain tolerance. I don't know what it is.
I will be like, 'Are you in pain?' She's like, 'I'm fine.'
I come to find out... her foot is, like, falling off."
Consuelos added humorously, "Well, they do have kids. They do deliver kids.
We're not built for that."
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Kevin Jonas will continue hosting Live with Kelly and Mark alongside Consuelos through the week, joined by guests Mila Kunis, Pamela Adlon, and Scott Foley.
