After a lengthy 10-hour operation, conjoined twins aged eleven months who were linked by their liver and shared a diaphragm have been seperated.
When Maggie Altobelli, 33, from Chicago, Illinois, was 20 weeks pregnant, she went to the doctor for a routine checkup and was excited to see her baby for the first time via sonogram.
When she realized that her stomach and twins were indeed connected, she was shocked.
Doctors told her and Dom Altobelli (34), that their babies would not have an easy road ahead, but she and Dom were determined to make sure they had a good and happy life.
Eleven months later, the girls, named Addy and Lily, have been successfully separated by surgery and now live independently.
After a lengthy 10-hour operation, conjoined twins aged 11 months who were linked by their liver and shared a diaphragm are now separate.
Maggie Altobelli, 33, and her husband, Dom Altobelli, 34, learned that their twins were conjoined during the pregnancy but were determined to give their children a happy life
Fighters: Eleven months ago, the two daughters, Addy & Lily, were born. Despite many difficulties, they have now been successfully separated via surgery. They are independent and living independently.
Recalling the moment she found out she was having twins, Maggie told Today Parents, ‘I was like, “Oh my gosh, are there two of them?”‘
However, the technician saw Maggie’s shock and removed the wand. Maggie was told by the doctor that Maggie has never seen anything quite like it in her life.
Maggie continued: ‘I said, “Oh finding out you’re having multiples?” And she’s like, “No we get that. Both their little stomachs have a connection.”
Maggie described it as an “out of body” experience when she discovered her children were joined.
She explained that she was trying to determine the gender of a baby that I believed we were having, but it turned out to be more difficult.
“It was an outside of my body experience. It’s like, “What do you mean their stomachs are connected? Is this even a thing?”’
Maggie was just 20 weeks into her pregnancy. Maggie went to the doctor and had a regular check-up. Maggie was eager to get a sonogram for the first times.
It was shocking: When she found out that she had twins, she was shocked to discover their connection.
Maggie described it as an “out of body” experience when she discovered her children were joined together.
Maggie and Dom visited many specialists. They were informed that the twins could never be separated if they had a shared heart.
They soon realized that each girl had her own heart. However, the diaphragms were shared and they were linked by the liver.
‘[Doctors]Maggie said that this was a positive situation. But it’s still a very high-risk delivery and surgery,”‘ Maggie shared.
“It was quite shocking and surprising. However, it was a surprise and very shocking. We thought God just gave these girls to us.
The couple decided to move to Pennsylvania to work with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on the birth and separation, and Dom admitted that they were ‘scared as Hell.’
He said, “It was quite an adventure early on because Maggie and I were terrified as hell and didn’t know what was coming.” We had to keep going and take things one step at time.
The couple decided to move to Pennsylvania to work with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on the birth and separation, and Dom admitted that they were ‘scared as Hell’
Maggie gave birth to Addison (Addy), and Lilianna, (Lily), via Cesarian-section on November 18, 2020. They were immediately taken to the neonatal intensive car unit.
On November 18, 2020, when Maggie was 34 weeks pregnant, she delivered Addison (Addy) and Lilianna (Lily) via Cesarean-section, and they were imemdaitely taken into the neonatal intensive care unit.
They had their first surgery shortly after they were born.
Holly Hedrick, their doctor said that they underwent tissue expansion to increase their skin. This was because their chest walls were shared from below their collarbones to their stomachbuttons.
The complications that the twins experienced were immediately apparent. They shared a common chest which made breathing difficult, especially as Addy was bigger than Lily.
‘If Lily got upset … she would [control]Maggie said that the breathing is important. ‘There were times where Addy had coded because she couldn’t breathe because Lily would get upset.’
However, Addy and Lily persevered and underwent separation surgery October 13th 2021. Maggie stated that it was an emotional day.
It was surreal. And it was so emotional. The whole day was very peaceful and we kind of just gave it to God – and we’ve done that throughout this whole journey,’ she recalled.
Addy and Lily had their separation surgery in October 2021. Maggie described it as a very emotional day. It was successful in the end.
Thriving: Less than two months later the couple, along with their infants, moved back to Chicago.
Now, the girls still use a breathing tube, but doctors feel hopeful that they’ll be able to breathe on their own soon. Although they also need a feeding tube for their health, the girls have been learning to eat.
Happy than ever! ‘They smile everyday. It has been so much easier for them, their father gushed. They sit and stare at each other, smile, and have fun.
‘We’re just so lucky to have surgeons who know what they’re doing and really worked hard and cared for our girls like they were their own.’
It was a successful operation and the couple, along with their baby, moved to Chicago two months later on December 1.
Now, the girls still use a breathing tube, but doctors feel hopeful that they’ll be able to breathe on their own soon.
Additionally, they use a feeding tube, but have already been practising eating.
“They are always smiling every day. Their dad said that it has made life easier.
“They look at each others and then smile and have fun. Anytime they’re close they’re reaching for each other’s hands and faces and breathing tubes.’
Maggie said, “This is our adventure.” It’s a very special one in many ways. These girls will have long, happy lives. It’s pretty miraculous and unbelievable that we’re living this life.’