Kelly Ripa is sharing new details about her recent medical procedure.

Last month, Ripa began a two-week absence from Live With Kelly and Mark. Mark Consuelos explained on July 27 that his wife had undergone gum graft surgery and was “doing great.” In an episode of her Let’s Talk Off Camera podcast recorded before the procedure, Ripa revealed that the procedure had been a long time coming.

“I was supposed to do it five years ago,” Ripa told her podcast guest, Michelle Buteau, per People. “But now, just so you know, the doctor was like, ‘Now, you don’t have the luxury of time.’”

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a gum graft dental procedure treats gum recession by covering “exposed” tooth roots and adding volume to the gum line. Recovery can take one week or longer.

When asked if the surgery is painful, Ripa confirmed “it is,” adding that she would not be allowed to talk for 10 days after. She added that the material used to cover her gum recession would be “the skin off of the roof of your mouth.”

ABC

As for why she has experienced gum recession? “I’m an over-brusher,” she revealed. “I brush my teeth too much. It’s a good-bad habit. But I’ve caused gum recession down here specifically, and so they have gotta re-gum my gums.”

On the podcast, Ripa joked about her displeasure over not being allowed to talk after the surgery. “We’re already managing my stress level for not being able to talk for 10 days,” she quipped.

Ripa’s comments were similar to what Consuelos said while announcing her break from Live on July 27. “Her dentist said five years ago, ‘You can do it in about five years,’” he stated. “And she joked, ‘I didn’t think I’d still be on the air in five years.’”

Consuelos continued, “There’s a list of things that you’re not allowed to do: talking, she has to eat soft food, you can’t suck out of a straw. You can’t examine it, which means pulling down the lip. And so, last night, she’s like, ‘Can you look?’ I’m like, ‘I’m not pulling your lip down.’”

Several celebrities filled in for Ripa amid her absence from Live, including Kevin Jonas, Mila Kunis, Pamela Adlon, Scott Foley, Sarah Chalke, Jenna Dewan, Carrie Coon, Buteau, and Live emcee Déjà Vu.

Ripa was back at the hosting desk with Consuelos on Monday, August 10. However, she did not address her surgery on the show, as the episode was prerecorded. Episodes this week through Labor Day will all be prerecorded, as the Live cast and crew are currently enjoying the annual summer break, per People.

Upcoming episodes will feature new conversations between Ripa and Consuelos, pre-filmed segments, and previous celebrity interviews. The show will reportedly be back with live episodes starting Tuesday, September 8, marking Live‘s Season 39 premiere.

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