Siamese twins lead happy lives five years after separating operation

Bao Bao (R) and Bei Bei listen carefully in their class at Yongnian Experimental Primary School in north China's Hebei Province on Nov. 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

Photo taken on Feb. 5, 2004 shows Bao Bao and Bei Bei before their separating operation in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

Bao Bao (R) and Bei Bei draw pictures at home in Yongnian, north China's Hebei Province on Nov. 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

Bao Bao (R) and Bei Bei show their works at home in Yongnian, north China's Hebei Province on Nov. 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

Bao Bao (L) and Bei Bei walks with their father Shi Yanbin after school in Yongnian, north China's Hebei Province on Nov. 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao)

Bao Bao and Bei Bei were Siamese twins when they were born on Jan. 2, 2004 in Yongnian County of north China's Hebei Province. The sisters had their livers, ribs, pericardia, diaphragms, and peritoneums connected. And Beibei, the younger of the two, was diagnosed with a genetic heart condition. Forty-four days after their birth, the twins got a successful separating operation without any charge. It took about eight hours for the doctors with the No.1 Hospital of the Hebei Medical University to complete the operation on Feb. 14, 2004. Half a year later, another operation was carried out to correct Beibei's atrioventricular heart problem.

Now, lucky girls grow up happily and healthily. The smart and cute sisters are popular in their class.