In 2005, two very special girls were born into the world. Isabelle and Abby were not only identical twins but also conjoined from the chest down to the stomach — a rare condition that immediately made medical history in Minnesota.
You might want to sit down before seeing what they look like today…
Extremely rare condition
In the early 2000s, conjoined twins Isabelle and Abby Carlsen were born at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Their birth, on November 29, 2005, to be more exact, was a historic event – and a medically complex challenge.
Soon, Isabelle and Abby were referred to as ”miracle babies” because they survived despite being fused at the chest and abdomen, sharing a liver, small intestine, and two intertwined hearts. Their condition was, obviously, extremely rare.
Abby and Isabelle’s story all began during a routine ultrasound when Amy, the mother, sensed something was wrong as the technician spent an unusually long time reviewing the results. A growing feeling of unease took over, and it soon became clear that something wasn’t right.
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The ultrasound revealed a shocking truth: Abby and Isabelle Carlsen, the twins Amy and her husband Jesse had been eagerly awaiting, were conjoined from their chest to abdomen, facing each other.
The news was grim — the odds of their survival until birth were just one in 100,000. But despite the overwhelming challenge, Jesse and Amy refused to lose hope. They remained determined to do everything they could to bring their daughters into the world, no matter the odds.
Fortunately, the delivery went smoothly.
After five months, a team of 70 medical professionals prepared to separate the twins. The preparations had been underway since February 2006, and according to doctors, there was a 90 to 95 percent chance that both girls would survive.
It took a team of 17 surgeons to perform the operation, which lasted 12 hours and involved several critical moments, including the separation of the liver the girls shared.
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Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and the formerly conjoined twins were able to spend the night in separate beds for the first time in their lives. They required breathing assistance in the early stages and were under constant monitoring after the complex procedure, but soon, the girls made an astonishing recovery.
Two weeks later, they went home to North Dakota, as two.
Looking back and digging through the archives, it’s clear that Isabelle and Abby’s story captivated an entire nation. Thousands of well-wishes flooded in for the family before the surgery, and over $50,000 was raised in support. The family, deeply religious, expressed their gratitude for all the prayers and good wishes.
“It’s amazing how our girls have touched so many people’s lives,” the parents said in a statement.
So many media outlets documented their story that during an interview at the girls’ three-year checkup at Mayo, mom Amy Carlsen mentioned it felt like having a ready-made ”journal” for their family.
”I don’t remember much of it,” she said. ”So I actually went back and read and watched everything.”
Isabelle and Abby today
Over the years, Amy and Jesse watched their daughters grow into cheerful little girls. They loved gymnastics, fashion, and competition.
From the moment they were born, Abby and Isabelle Carlsen have been individuals with distinct personalities. Their mom, Amy Carlsen, once joked that when the twins were conjoined, dressing them up was easy — just buy two matching outfits and attach them.
Fast forward to today, and Abby and Isabelle have grown into thriving young women. Now 19 years old, they have no memory of being born conjoined, but their bond remains as strong as ever.
The family is forever grateful for what took place a decade ago at the Mayo Clinic.
”Words can’t express how thankful I am for what they did for our girls,” Amy Carlsen said.
“It’s just priceless,” Jesse added.
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In an interview ten years after the procedure, when they were in fourth grade, the girls shared their unique connection while emphasizing their individuality.
”Every night we look into the mirror in the room and say to each other: How can people mix us up?” Abby said at the time.
Despite their close relationship, Abby and Isabelle are far from identical in character. When Isabelle would cry, Abby would be fast asleep, and vice versa — when Abby slept, Belle would be wide awake.
Abby was the snuggly, more sensitive twin, while Isabelle had a hyperactive side and loved staying up. The twins have always insisted on being recognized as individuals, and in their classrooms, they’re known as Isabelle and Abby, not as a pair. Still, there are moments that reveal how connected they are.
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For example, in a busy mall, you might catch them holding hands, a little quirk that still feels a bit strange to them, even after all these years.
That sense of humor and confidence has only grown with time.
Today, it’s been 19 years since the conjoined twin sisters, the Carlsens, were separated in 2006. The girls have a low presence on social media, but both Isabelle and their dad, Jesse, are active on Instagram.
In a post from 2020, Isabelle shared a photo of herself and her twin sister Abby with the caption: “15th birthday… in quarantine,” tagging their dad, Jesse.
See the picture of the girls below:
Now in 2025, the twins are forging their own paths while remaining inseparable in spirit. They may have started life together in a way few can imagine, but today, they are simply two happy, thriving young women looking toward bright futures.
Their story is more than just a medical miracle — it’s a testament to resilience, family, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood.
Isn’t it wonderful to see these young women today, healthy and full of life! Feel free to share this article on Facebook and send a greeting to the girls in the comments.