Adorable two-year-old twins that were joined by the uterus, digestive tract and an additional leg are ‘thriving’ seven months after their separation surgery.

The girls underwent the rare operation just over half a year ago, and are now successfully living separate lives.

Surviving an exhausting 18-hour procedure, the pair left the hospital and returned home.

Although they are now doing well, they were both left with just one leg because their third leg helped with reconstruction.

Erika and Eva Sandoval had been born with entwined internal organs, as well as a conjoined pelvis.

Mother Aida told the Sacremento Bee: ‘The whole conjoined thing is like a distant memory. I know they were at one time, but this is just our life now.’

The twins remained in Packard Children’s Hospital for almost three months after the surgery but returned to their Antelope, California home soon after.

Aida and her husband Arturo have now been caring for their children, who are slowly adapting to their new life.

Prior to the operation, Erika had become half the size of Eva because she was not absorbing enough nutrients.

But now, there is less than 10oz difference in weight between the two girls.

Doctors expect that the children will be able to walk on crutches within a year, as they are currently both using wheelchairs.

Medics had shown that the children were almost entirely usual above the sternum, but their bodies merged into one below that point.

The operation however was not without risk, but it was deemed necessary given the decline in their medical condition.

Aida was 44 and her husband was 49 when they welcomed their children, having decided against ending the pregnancy because of their religious beliefs.

The mum said: ‘I have faith in God, and I know that if it’s meant to be, it will be.’

Source: The Mirror