These twin sisters were born conjoined at the chest, sharing a liver, intestines, and several other vital organs 😲. On top of that, each sister was born with only one leg 😱.
When they were just six months old, doctors made the brave decision to separate them. The surgery took 18 hours, but the medical team succeeded 😍. Today, the girls are three years old. Curious to see how they look now?
In Northern Ireland, the Bateson family had spent years hoping for a miracle. After undergoing fertility treatment, their dream finally came true — they were expecting long-awaited daughters. But their joy quickly turned into fear when doctors revealed that the babies were conjoined twins, fused from the chest down to the pelvis.
During an ultrasound, the mother saw two tiny hearts beating. Annabelle and Isabelle shared not only a liver and intestines but also a bladder and a single leg.
Each girl had one leg of her own, but their bodies were so closely connected that even the most skilled surgeons couldn’t immediately say whether a safe separation would be possible.
The twins were born in March 2022 at University College Hospital in London. Right after delivery, they were transferred to one of the best children’s hospitals in the UK.
There, the medical team began months of preparation — not just to separate their bodies, but to make sure each girl could survive and grow independently afterward.
Doctors studied detailed scans, built 3D models of their organs and blood vessels, and used virtual simulations to plan every step.
Finally, in September 2022, the day everyone had been both dreading and hoping for arrived. Over thirty specialists gathered in two operating rooms for a complex, hours-long surgery.
After eighteen intense hours, Annabelle and Isabelle were placed on separate operating tables for the very first time. Each had one leg of her own. Despite the incredible challenges, both girls survived.
The following weeks were spent in intensive care, with dozens of dressing changes and several follow-up surgeries. In total, they’ve undergone around twenty operations since birth.
Today, Annabelle and Isabelle are thriving like any other sisters. Their personalities are beginning to shine: Annabelle is talkative, loves attention, and enjoys singing, while Isabelle is quieter but full of determination and energy.
They continue with physiotherapy, are learning to use special orthotic supports, and are preparing for prosthetic limbs as they grow stronger each day.