The Zalte family, from Mumbai, India, welcomed conjoined twins in 2016. During the fifth month of Shetal’s pregnancy, doctors discovered that the twins were conjoined but were unsure if separation would be possible.
Despite the uncertainty, Chetal and Sagar Zalte chose to proceed with the pregnancy and prepared for the possibility of surgery. Their twins, Prince and Love, were born healthy but joined together.
After birth, the babies underwent extensive examinations, and doctors confirmed that separation could be done once they turned one year old. Preparation for the surgery lasted two months.
In December 2017, a team of 30 specialists worked for 12 hours to make the parents’ dream come true and give the children a chance at independent lives.
Early the next morning, Dr. Shakuntala Prabhu shared the long-awaited news with Chetal and Sagar: “We did it. It’s all over!”
The twins had a lot to learn post-surgery. Under medical supervision, they first crawled, then stood, and by the age of two, they learned to walk.
During this time, Prince and Love were closely monitored by caring doctors. On the first anniversary of their separation, the family visited the medical team to celebrate the milestone.
The successful separation brought fame to the medical center, now a top facility for such cases.
The twins, now six years old, are identical and look very much alike. They share similar feelings, preferences, and are just as active as other children their age, blending in seamlessly with their peers.
