PALO ALTO, Calif. --
by John Boitnott, Web Producer

Marking a major step in their ongoing recovery from separation surgery, formerly conjoined Costa Rican twins Yurelia and Fiorella Rocha-Arias were released last week from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, according to hospital spokesman Todd Kleinheinz.

“The twins are doing very well,” said Gary Hartman, lead surgeon for last month’s separation surgery. “Yurelia is almost fully recovered. Meanwhile, Fiorella’s blood pressure is returning to normal through medication. All in all, we’re quite pleased.”

SLIDESHOW: Conjoined Twins From Costa Rica

The 2-year-olds are now outpatients, and have daily appointments with occupational and physical therapists to improve their strength and mobility, Kleinheinz said.

The twins have cardiovascular appointments with a different doctor every other week, Kleinheinz said.

The twins are recovering not just from the successful separation on Nov. 12, but also from follow-up procedures.

Yurelia’s life-threatening congenital anomaly known as "double outlet right ventricle" (DORV) was corrected by Frank Hanley, chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery, on Nov. 14.

On Nov. 19, Fiorella returned to surgery for a modification of her chest reconstruction and repair of her skin closure, a procedure led by Hartman and Peter Lorenz, chief of pediatric plastic surgery, Kleinheinz said.

“Through preparation, surgery and recovery, basically every discipline in the hospital has been involved with the girls and their care,” said Hartman.

Now the family can begin planning their return to Costa Rica, Kleinheinz said.

“We expect another six to eight weeks of follow-up prior to going home,” said Hartman. “Mom Maria Elizabeth Arias and dad Jose Luis are thrilled with the girls’ progress, and thankful for everyone’s help.”