Nine-month-old twins Allison and Amelia Tucker are living their healthy, separate lives after a successful surgery in November separated their once-conjoined bodies. The twins, along with their parents Shellie and Greg Tucker shared the first photos of their girls from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where they are still recovering.

Although their seven-hour surgery back in November was successful and the girls continue to progress, pediatric surgeon Dr. Holly Hedrick said Amelia, the larger twin, is still in intensive care.

She also said Allison is the smaller, but tougher twin.

Allison and Amelia’s Dangerous Procedure

Before their surgery, Allison and Amelia were conjoined at the lower chest and full abdomen. They also shared some organs: a chest wall, diaphragm, pericardium and liver.

They underwent a 7-hour operation at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania — one of the top team of surgeons in the world who handles separating conjoined twins.

It was the 21st operation of that kind the hospital had done, and it involved a team of 40 medical staff members.

The Prosperous Result

The Tucker twins continue to improve every day at the hospital, and doctors believe they are progressing nicely.

But because none of their shared organs were internal, they are expected to heal safely and go on to live “full, healthy and independent lives,” according to doctors.

Shellie took to her blog to thank doctors and well-wishers on Dec. 19.

“Greg and I are thrilled that our daughters have been given this remarkable gift by the amazing team from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,” she wrote. “We are so grateful for the support and encouragement that the medical team, our families and our friends have given us during this long journey.”

We’re so happy for the Tucker family! And hope they continue on this prosperous, healthy journey.

What do YOU think of this story HollyMoms? Drop a comment below and let us know!

More conjoined twins news:

1. Adorable Conjoined Twins, 8 Months, Separated After Dangerous Surgery
2. Conjoined Twins Abby & Brittany Hensel Live A Normal Life
3. Formerly Conjoined Twins Thrive After Separation Surgery

Shellie Tucker revealed her gratitude on Nov. 7 after a dangerous surgery to separate her 8-month-old conjoined twins, Allison and Amelia Tucker, “went very well,” according to doctors.

Holly Hedrick from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where the surgery was performed, said the operation was successful “as expected,” and expects the twins to live “full, healthy, and independent lives.”

The Tucker twins were conjoined at the chest wall, diaphragm, pericardium and liver, and underwent a longer than 6-hour surgery on Nov. 6 to separate them.

Shellie gave an update on the surgery on her blog on caringbridge.org on Nov. 7:

“Today it is a time to celebrate, to be thankful, to appreciate, to praise, and to enjoy this weight lifted off our shoulders. Greg and I are proud to announce our girls Amelia and Allison are separated successfully. Today started off with fear, anxiousness, nervousness, and excitement. Greg and I went into this knowing some facts but not all. We trusted our surgeons and hoped for the best. We never could imagine the outcome being as great as it was.”

The proud mom underwent an emergency C section to deliver the twins back in March, and doctors said the girls were excellent candidates for surgery as they grew older.

This operation was the 21st of its kind at the Philadelphia hospital.

“We are beyond exhausted and yet relieved. The girls do have a long recovery,” she wrote on her blog. “Our next step is to get [them] healed so we can get them home before Christmas. Please pray we can!”

We’re so excited to hear the twins are doing well!

What do YOU think of this story HollyMoms?

More conjoined twins:

1. Conjoined Twins Were Successfully Separated After A 20-Hour Surgery!
2. Conjoined Twins Connected At The Head Are Separated After ‘Miracle’ Surgery!
3. http://hollywoodlife.com/2011/09/14/conjoined-twins-separated-13-hour-surgery/