Formerly Conjoined Twins “Thriving”

Their mom says they are both just like every other two year old - and that is a great thing.

Angelina and Angelica Sabuco, the formerly conjoined twins from the Philippines, have been away from the media spotlight for a few months now, but put on their pink party dresses on Monday for a rare post-surgery close up.

The Lucile Packard Children’s hospital invited reporters for a progress report and were happy to report that all the news is good.

The twins are thriving, according to doctors. For example, not long ago it was a struggle for them to walk, but now they run. Their mom, Ginady Sabuco, said that seeing them run was the biggest milestone of their recovery for her.

They are each expressing their own distinct personalities.  Angelica, who is called Icah, is the talkative one. Angelina, who they call Inah, is quieter.

“They have really bounced back,” said lead surgeon Gary Hartman, MD. “Each time I see them in the clinic, they are more mobile and better adjusted. It’s been a very smooth recovery.” 

As part of their recovery, the girls had physical and occupational therapy to build their strength and endurance. They also continue to see plastic surgeon Peter Lorenz to monitor the healing of their abdomens and chests.

“They are healing right on track,” said Lorenz, who implanted a custom-made resorbable plate in each girl's chest where the sternum should be. The plates are expected to dissolve later this year as the grafted bones fuse.

Angelina and Angelica were born joined at the chest and abdomen, with their livers, diaphragms and breast bones all fused. 

The sisters were separated at Packard Children’s in a 10-hour surgery on Nov. 1 of last year.

They will celebrate their third birthday in August.

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