Mark Consuelos is back at work just days after undergoing what he described as a "major" toe surgery.
The 55-year-old television host returned to "Live with Kelly and Mark" on Monday, Sept. 28, rolling onto the set on a knee scooter before making his way to the cohost desk.
"I made it!" Consuelos announced as he entered the studio.
The "All My Children" alum admitted he had not expected to recover quickly enough to appear on Monday's show. Despite getting little sleep the night before because he and his wife Kelly Ripa's dog was sick, he said he was feeling well after the procedure.
"You know, we were giving the over-under whether or not I'd be here," he said. "I thought for sure there was a 90% chance I wouldn't be here."
'bad habit' that led to gum graft surgery
The talk show host underwent surgery Friday to remove a bone spur from his toe. Consuelos gave a shout-out to his "amazing" surgeon, Dr. Martin J. O'Malley of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, and said he stopped taking prescription pain medication within about 24 hours.
Consuelos also customized his knee scooter with a horn that plays "La Cucaracha."
Why did Mark Consuelos need toe surgery?
Consuelos revealed his surgery plans during the Sept. 25 episode of "Live with Kelly and Mark," telling viewers he was heading to the hospital immediately after the broadcast.
"I've been putting off this toe surgery for about a year," he said despite experiencing arthritis and pain in his toe. He also joked that addressing the problem could help improve his golf game.
Consuelos traced the condition to turf toe, which he had dealt with for years from playing soccer. He had a similar operation on his other foot about 15 years ago and said the earlier recovery had been especially difficult.
The surgery created a role reversal for the married co-hosts. Ripa recently underwent gum graft surgeryafter delaying that procedure for five years, leaving Consuelos to help oversee her recovery.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mark Consuelos returns to 'Live' on scooter after major toe surgery
