Separated conjoined twins make debut

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PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Formerly conjoined 9-month-old girls made their debut appearance after being successfully separated at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Allison and Amelia Tucker underwent a successful surgery six weeks ago to separate their shared chest wall, diaphragm, heart sac and liver, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

On Thursday, they made their first public appearance since the surgery, accompanied by their parents, Shellie and Greg Tucker, and brother Owen.

"It's been a roller coaster of emotions," Shellie, 24, said during the press conference. "But I wouldn't trade it for anything. We have developed as a couple, as parents, as a family, and we have met wonderful people."

Both of the girls are expected to live "full, independent lives," said Holly Hedrick, the pediatric surgeon who led their 7-hour operation on Nov. 7 to separate them.