United Kingdom, Sept. 9 -- Kelly Ripa delayed undergoing gum surgery for five years.

The 55-year-old TV star has returned to hosting Live with Mark Consuelos, her husband, after recently undergoing gum surgery, and Kelly has now opened up about her health issues.

Speaking to People, Kelly shared: "[I'm] so much better.

"It was fine. It was definitely necessary. I delayed it for five years. I really did because I was like, 'I'll wait until I retire.' And then, eventually my dentist was like, 'Okay, now we have to finish it.'"

Kelly took time off work during her recovery from surgery, and she admits that it was "a little strange" to have stitches in her mouth.

She said: "I was talking the whole time. I was talking like crazy. [Mark] wa...