Tag Archive for: weight reduction surgery

Understanding High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol

dreamstime_4464698Weight reduction surgery helps to put you on your path to a healthier lifestyle, but you can still tip into the realm of unhealthy if you don’t follow your doctor’s or nutritionist’s orders. Watching what you put into your body is very important because your blood pressure and cholesterol can dip toward unhealthy. Especially after weight reduction surgery, you should still be watching what you eat. By stepping up and undergoing bariatric surgery, you were ready to change your life around. Don’t take a step backward by letting yourself go again. Understand your body and how eating fatty foods and practicing unhealthy habits can contribute to poor overall health, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Understanding Your Body

Why do you need to think about high blood pressure or cholesterol if you’ve gone through bariatric surgery? No matter what stage of health you are in, you should consider the negative effect of what practicing unhealthy habits can have on your body.

Your Blood Pressure

What does it mean when you have high blood pressure? It means that your heart is working at an above normal level, and due to working harder it leaves your heart and arteries open to injury.

What does your blood pressure do? By keeping your blood pressure normal, you are able to reduce your chances of heart attack and stroke or developing heart and kidney failure. Having normal blood pressure will also provide your body with blood tissue rich in oxygen.

Your Cholesterol

There are two different types of cholesterol. The first kind, the so called “bad” kind, is called LDL and is the kind that leads to heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks. The second kind is HDL, and that’s the so called “good” cholesterol. HDL lowers your chances of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. So, how are these differentiated? Making healthy decisions toward eating and drinking is what differentiates good from bad cholesterol. For instance, if you have a diet filled with red meat, sugars, and white flour, you’re likely to have higher cholesterol. If you have a diet filled with leafy greens, salmon, and you moderate your drinking, you’re likely to have a healthy cholesterol.

If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, see a doctor to see how to fix it. If you are interested in bariatric surgery and want to learn more about controlling your weight, contact Weight Zen.

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Two Fun Exercise Hacks That Don’t Cost A Penny

dreamstime_xxl_57748543You are going to need to start exercising if you are going to undergo bariatric surgery or if you have already completed it. When you start on your road to weight reduction surgery you need to lose some weight before you can be accepted for the surgery. On the other hand, you also need to start exercising once you have completed your surgery. Going through bariatric surgery is a long process, one that might seem daunting, but you can do it. At Weight Zen, located in New York, we can provide more information about weight control and bariatric surgery. Come check us out and see if bariatric surgery is for you.

Fun Tip One: Competition

A little competition never hurt anyone. In fact, it helps people more than you think. A great way to begin losing weight for your surgery or after your surgery, is by competition with your friends. Go exercise with your friends and see how much better you become day after day. Start off slow with walking around the block with a friend or a group of friends and slowly work up to harder and harder activities. See how you and your friends last against each other and feel great doing it. You don’t have to be alone in your weight loss journey, encourage your friends to get healthy with you. As you become better in shape, you can also begin competing in different challenges such as how many miles you can do in a week or how many pushups you can do at once.

Fun Tip Two: Explore

Wherever you live I’m sure it’s gorgeous and fun. If you live in the country, go out and explore, if you live in the city, go check out a new part of it. No matter where you live, there’s some areas to explore. Check out a historic part of your city or go into the woods and try an easy nature trail. Wherever you go make sure you continuously move and remember to take in the people, view, or the beauty of being in nature. Walking is easy on your body and you can burn a few calories as you experience new things.

Set a goal to start exercising three times a week and see the changes in you. Combined with weight control you’ll feel like a new person.

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Health Problems You Face If You Are Overweight Or Obese

dreamstime_xxl_9388348It’s easy to gain weight. There are so many delicious foods that contribute to weight gain, such as sweets, sugary drinks, and complex carbohydrates. When you only have so much time in a day, it can be difficult to fit in exercise. Losing weight can be very difficult when you don’t have the time to eat correctly or exercise.

Weight Zen is a comprehensive weight loss facility located in New York that offers bariatric surgery and nutritional counseling to help you control your weight. There are many surgeries that will help you get back on track to being healthy again. With our help, you can start taking better care of yourself. You may wish to look into our weight loss surgeries to help you control your weight. Below are a few health issues complicated by being overweight.

Circulatory

Your circulatory system is how your blood and lymph travel through your body. This system includes the heart, lymph, blood, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels and glands. If you don’t lose weight, you can suffer from blood clots, poor circulation, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart attack. When you gain weight, you put more pressure on your legs and knees as well, so there is swelling in those limbs. You are also more prone to lymph node cancers and peripheral artery disease. Peripheral artery disease is a condition that causes blood vessel reduction to move through the limbs. This means that poor circulation may cause pain in your limbs, specifically your legs. By not taking care of yourself, you may be facing poor circulation and pain in your limbs as well as possible heart problems.

Respiratory

The respiratory system consists of the organs that help your breath. The organs that are involved in the respiratory system are responsible for taking in the oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide. When you are overweight, your respiratory system won’t work as well. You could develop asthma, sleep apnea, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary embolism. Sleep apnea is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. It’s very dangerous because you stop breathing. Pulmonary hypertension is when you have high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the heart. Lastly, pulmonary embolism is when your lungs become blocked due to a blood clot. When you are overweight or obese, your respiratory system doesn’t work as well, and you may face breathing problems.

Psychological

This one might be surprising; what does weight control have to do with psychological issues? If you are overweight or obese, you may be facing many psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Our culture plays a part in triggering low self-esteem and depression for people who are overweight or obese. When you live in a culture that tells you what beautiful is, it’s very hard to ignore it. Unfortunately, there’s a very low emphasis on being healthy in our society. Many people have eating disorders because they want to be beautiful and skinny, so they don’t think of the health repercussions. If you are at an unhealthy weight and think you are depressed or you suffer from anxiety, reach out to someone who can help. Developing eating habits that could be considered a disorder will not fix the problem. Get healthy the right way, by exercising and dieting or by talking to a doctor about weight loss surgery.

dreamstime_xxl_47131645Reproductive

This also might be a surprising health problem you might not think about. For women, being overweight can lead to polycystic ovarian syndrome, infertility, and irregular menstruation. It can also lead to ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and breast cancer. For men, being overweight can lead to prostate cancer, infertility, and erectile dysfunction. You may have read our article on PCOS earlier.  To refresh: Polycystic ovarian cancer or PCOS can cause the hormones to become out of balance and for the body to produce more testosterone than it should. If you are overweight and are trying to conceive, it can be hard to do so if you have PCOS.

If you’re overweight and any of these conditions sound familiar, talk to a doctor or nutritionist about weight loss and weight reduction surgery. Call us today to begin changing your life.

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The Benefits Of A Food Journal After Bariatric Surgery

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If you’ve been reading our blog for a while, then you likely know that we spend a lot of time and dedication to helping patients before and after bariatric surgery in our New York office. We put a focus on helping you know your body and its needs. While this can be difficult to do at the beginning, with organization and discipline, it becomes easier.

With that in mind, we want to take a look at food diaries today, which can be a great tool after your bariatric surgery.

What Is A Food Journal?

Simply put, a food journaling is a way to keep track of what you eat. Food journals are recommended by many nutritionists for people who are struggling to lose weight. This helps you assess the amount of food you consume as well as when you’re consuming it and perhaps how you feel when eating. It’s a great way to count calories and take note of habits in your diet and lifestyle.

Understanding Eating Habits

As you begin to adjust to life after your weight loss surgery, it’s highly likely that you’ll take notice of many changes to your lifestyle and diet. Keeping a food journal is a great way to keep tabs on those pesky cravings, what you’ve eaten during the day, how often you’re eating and how you feel throughout the day.

When you keep a food journal, make sure you’re keeping track of the following:

  • What did you eat?
  • How much did you eat? (This is why measuring is so important.)
  • When did you eat?
  • Where did you eat?
  • How did you feel while you were eating?

While this may appear trivial on the surface, having a food journal that keeps track of the above information on a daily basis is very beneficial in the long run.

Track Your Nutritional Needs

People often notice in their food journals that they’re eating too much of one food group and neglecting others. As you accumulate to food logs, you’ll be able to see trends and take note of any nutritional needs you should be meeting but aren’t. By working with our nutritionist Megan Wolf, you’ll be able to alter your diet as needed and tailor a plan that fits your exact needs.

Monitoring Your Health On A Daily Basis

We understand that your life can be different for a little while after your bariatric surgery. Being able to monitor your health on a daily basis is not only important to you, but to your doctor and nutritionist, too. If you notice issues with constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, abdominal pain, or indigestion, make sure you take note of it. Patterns of these types of issues may indicate certain foods that do not agree with you, or it could be a sign of a something that needs to be addressed further.

Contact Weight Zen Today For More Information

If you’re interested in bariatric surgery in New York and want to make sure that you get great, long lasting results, make sure you contact Dr. Rosen at Weight Zen to schedule a consultation and discuss your options. Our entire team looks forward to connecting with you and helping you meet your weight loss and health goals.

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Are You Aware Of The Benefits Of Bariatric Protein Powder?

dreamstime_xxl_51748043Once you have weight reduction surgery, you need to consume a certain amount of nutrients to stay on the path of being healthy. One of the nutrients that need to be consumed daily is protein. Now that you’ve gone through bariatric surgery, it’s important to focus on a new dietary plan. It can be hard to adjust, but your nutritionist and bariatric surgeon probably told you why there are dietary restrictions and what foods need to be consumed. To help you stay on track, there are many foods that you can try, but there are also protein powder shakes to give you the nutrients you need in smaller portions. Portion control can be hard to maintain, but by exploring the wonderful world of bariatric protein powder you can hit your nutrient goals everyday, stay full, and continue on your path of being healthy and losing weight.

What is Bariatric Protein Powder?

Not all protein powders are good for bariatric patients, which is why there are specific protein powders people who have gone through bariatric surgery prefer to consume.  Some protein powders have too much sugar – something that should be avoided.  It’s important to always read nutrition labels to be sure you know how much you’re drinking.  Bariatric protein powder is geared toward post-op patients who need to meet their nutrient requirements.  Ideally, look for protein powders that have at minimum 20 grams of good quality protein and fewer than 10 grams of sugar. Remember to keep it simple; it’s okay to add some fruits, and other ingredients, but be aware of your intake, and don’t overdo it.

dreamstime_xxl_50656252Why Use Bariatric Protein Powder?

Because your stomach size is reduced, you are only able to consume a certain amount of food.  You want to maximize your intake with the best quality ingredients and wholesome foods.  Protein shakes are easy and filling: all you have to do is make the shake.  Make one in the morning, and then take it to work with you, or drink it after a long day when you aren’t up for cooking dinner. However you look at it, bariatric protein powders are geared for post-op patients and work well to help you meet your protein requirements.

There are many protein powders out there, so you’ll be able to find you what you like. We offer a few of our favorites in the office, and our nutritionist Megan Wolf can walk you through the benefits of each.

Do you live in the New York area and are interested in weight loss or bariatric surgery? At Weight Zen, we offer a few weight reduction surgeries to help you get your life back. To make an appointment or to learn more, call [uxi_button link=”2122032146″ new_window=”0″ tel=”1″ class=”button-block-mobile button-32″ padding_x=”” padding_y=”” text=”(866) 429-5961″ text_size=”14″ text_size_mobile=”” text_font=”header-font” sub_text=”” sub_text_size=”12″ sub_text_size_mobile=”” sub_text_font=”header-font” icon=”” icon_size=”12″ icon_size_mobile=”” icon_align=””].

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Five Super-Healthy Foods To Try

Now, that you’ve gone through bariatric surgery or if you are gearing up for bariatric surgery and need to lose some weight, you probably aren’t sure what to eat. At Weight Zen, we love food – so today, we’d like to share some healthy foods that are both delicious and nutritious.

Five Must-Try Healthy Foodsdreamstime_xxl_1992777

These foods are just an introduction to all of the other yummy and healthy foods that you can try now that you are exploring healthy foods. It might be hard to get into the habit of staying away from oily, fatty foods, but in no time you’ll realize how much better, healthier, and tastier eating healthy is.

Coconut

Coconut is big right now; there’s coconut water, oil, and flour. Coconut flour is a great substitute for white flour and is a healthy way to add nutrients and flavor to baked goods. There are many health benefits of eating coconut too. Coconut flour boasts five grams of fiber per every two tablespoons with an additional limited amount of saturated fat. Coconut flour is naturally gluten-free and may help stabilize blood sugar.

Salmon

Rich in heart-healthy fats and lean protein, salmon is a perfect choice. Raw or cooked, it cannot be beat. Especially good for postoperative patients, salmon is soft and filled with protein. If possible, look for wild varieties in your local market. Fresh or frozen, you really cannot go wrong!

dreamstime_xxl_38437127Skyr

What is skyr? It’s yogurt that’s similar to Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is delicious and can be used in baked goods and smoothies, as sour cream, and even as a dessert with some fruit and honey. Skyr and Greek yogurt have a pretty similar texture and similar nutrients. Look for skyr at your local world market, and try it out to see how you like it.

Seaweed

If you’re a sushi lover, then you’ve likely tried seaweed before. Especially popular in seaweed salads and as a wrapping on sushi rolls, seaweed is common in Japanese cooking. Seaweed has potassium, iodine, and iron. It is salty but not overpowering and it can be enjoyed in many different ways. Seaweed salad, seaweed in smoothies, seaweed instead of potato chips, or in soups are all must-tries. Check out the flakes or dried strips and sheets in your local supermarket.

Amaranth

What is amaranth? It’s quinoa’s lesser known cousin. It is a newly popular whole grain; iron, zinc, protein, calcium, and magnesium are all featured in this lesser-known grain. Native to Central America, it has been used for up to 8,000 years. Amaranth, when cooked, is thick and oatmeal like, so it works as a great thickener. Try amaranth in soups, oatmeal, stews, and even pudding to add some healthiness to your desserts. Similar to quinoa, is can be found in natural-foods stores or a very well-stocked supermarket. You can also find a delicious amaranth recipe in our nutritionist Megan Wolf’s new cookbook Great Meals with Greens and Grains!

Are you interested help controlling your weight or in weight loss surgery? Learn more about Weight Zen and how you can start living a healthier life by contacting us today!

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Are You A Candidate For Weight Loss Surgery?

dreamstime_xxl_39116267Here at Weight Zen, Dr. Rosen has helped hundreds of patients who suffer from obesity and weight control issues achieve a healthier life. We receive many calls from potential weight loss surgery candidates who are simply unsure about whether they are a candidate for bariatric surgery in New York. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the basic standards of the ideal bariatric surgery candidate.

Are You A Candidate For Bariatric Surgery?

If you’re significantly overweight and you’re looking to make a lifestyle change, you may be the perfect candidate for bariatric surgery at Weight Zen. Research supports the advantages of bariatric surgery for people who have a BMI between 35 and 39.9 with obesity-related health issues, such as obstructive sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and other obesity-related health conditions. You could be a candidate for bariatric surgery if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • You weigh more than 100 pounds of your ideal body weight.
  • You have a BMI of more than 40.
  • Your BMI is more than 35, and you experience severe negative health effects, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, due to being severely overweight.
  • You’re unable to achieve your weight goals for any sustained period of time even though you’re on a medically-supervised diet.

Are you interested in how to proceed from here? Do you want to schedule a consultation with Megan Wolf, our New York nutritionist or Dr. Rosen, our New York bariatric surgeon? Contact us today to get started. We look forward to connecting with you and helping you achieve better health.

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Seven Tips For Healthy Summer Eating

Most of our summers are filled with BBQs and trips to the beach or lake. For some, summer eating and drinking can throw bariatric surgery patients in New York off track. You may be thinking, “After I’ve undergone weight loss surgery, how will I still be able to enjoy all of my favorite summer activities without undoing all of my hard work?” There’s no need to fret. Today, we’re going to cover some great tips to get through the summer months like a true post-bariatric surgery pro.

Great Tips For Eating Healthy This Summer After Your Bariatric Surgery

Follow these tips, and you’ll continue feeling great while still being able to participate in your favorite summer activities.

Going to a BBQ? Offer to bring a healthy dish.

If you’ve been invited to a BBQ, step up and offer to bring a healthy dish that’s both good for you and tasty. We suggest a mouth-watering marinated and grilled chicken breast, vegetables, and some tasty fruit salad. This will ensure that you have something to eat without feeling like you have to request special food from the host.

Choose the smaller paper plate option, or bring your own.

If you’re going to a summer party or BBQ, use the smallest plate available or even opt to bring your own little paper plates to use. Remember, if you’re using a large paper plate, you’re likely going to fill it up with food without even realizing it. Big plates lead to larger portions!

Eat the healthy protein first.

Fill your stomach with the healthy protein from your meal first. Whether you’re eating a hamburger patty or some tasty grilled chicken, eat that first. This will help you attain your daily protein goal while managing your appetite, ensuring that you don’t overeat.

Reach for and drink plenty of calorie-free drinks.

As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, it’s very easy for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery to become dehydrated, and even easier when it’s hot and humid outside! Make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water or non-carbonated, calorie-free beverages when available. Not only will drinking a lot of water keep you hydrated, but it will also curb feelings of hunger and help you stay full longer so that you aren’t tempted to snack.

Watch out for those sliders!

Sliders, or slider foods, are usually snacks that have a ton of carbs in them, such as candy, chocolate, chips, cookies, crackers, etc. that don’t offer much in the way of nutrition, don’t keep you full for very long, and go down way too easily (hence the name). You’ll often find slider foods in abundance at BBQs and picnics. If you must eat these foods, take one handful or one cookie, and walk away without looking back. If you stand near these foods, you’ll end up giving in and grazing.

Take an overall look at what’s being served at the event.

When you arrive to the family BBQ or picnic, take note of what’s being served with your bariatric diet in mind. Remember, protein first, then vegetables, then carbs.

If you’re getting off track with your bariatric diet and need guidance, we invite you to contact our registered dietitian for help. We’re here for you and want to help you on your weight loss journey.

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Tips For Meal Planning After Your Bariatric Surgery

Did you recently undergo bariatric surgery? Maybe you’re considering bariatric surgery from Weight Zen in New York? Regardless, life after weight loss surgery is going to be a little different, especially in terms of how you prepare your meals. Before we start giving you tips for planning your meals once you’ve transitioned to solid foods, let’s take a look at two essential tools you’ll need for post-bariatric surgery meal planning success.

Two Essential Tools For Successful Meal Planning

It may seem like a daunting task to make the transition to eating the right foods for your new life while also possibly preparing meals for others in your home. Make sure you’ve got these two tools in your meal planning toolbox:

  • Organization
  • Pre-planning

Remember, if there are any family staple meals that already exist within your household that you’ll need to continue preparing, you should enjoy your meal first before preparing any heavier dishes. You can also consider “lightening up” some of those family meals your household has grown so accustomed to. We suggest speaking directly to our Registered Dietitian, Megan Wolf for tips on modifying these meals.

Tips For Meal Planning Following Bariatric Surgery

Congratulations! You’ve reached the milestone of being able to start post-weight loss surgery meal planning. Here are some great tips:

Pre-portion smaller meals.

Your portions should be small on your bariatric surgery diet. When you’re planning meals, make sure when you’re preparing regular-sized recipes, you’re dividing them into weight loss surgery-sized portions. It’s a great idea to store these individual portions into their own little packets or containers and freeze them to eat later.

Use your weekends for healthy shopping, meal planning, and cooking.

Use your weekends or any regularly scheduled days off to prepare your meals in advance.

  • Firstly, figure out what you want to eat and serve to your family if applicable, buy those ingredients, and prepare some recipes.
  • If possible, coordinate your meals with what’s on sale for the week at your local grocery store or what’s in season at your local farmer’s market. This will help make your meal planning cost effective.
  • Don’t hesitate to use online resources such as our blog or blogs like ObesityHelp.com to find and try out new recipes. If you’re unsure if a meal will work for your plan, consult your bariatric surgeon or dietitian.

If you do it correctly, it’s completely ok to eat out.

You don’t have to turn down lunch dates with friends, and there’s no need to panic when you don’t have time to cook or you’re low on food. While this may seem counterproductive, it’s ok to eat out as long as you do it correctly. Remember your bariatric eating rules, and follow them. Choose healthy, protein-based meals. If possible, look at the restaurant’s menu online before you go, or call ahead to ensure they have options for you.

Don’t Hesitate To Ask Our Bariatric Dietitian For Help

It’s what we’re here for! Our dietitian will be able to help you plan your meals depending on your specific circumstances and needs. The more people who are involved in your life and support your healthy decisions, the better!

Bon appétit!

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How Your Body Temperature Changes After Your Bariatric Surgery

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Undergoing weight loss surgery means that your body and lifestyle are going to experience a number of changes. Some of the more expected changes can include weight loss, getting slimmer, and generally experiencing better health. There are others that are unexpected, but thankfully they’re manageable. Dr. Rosen and his entire bariatric surgery team in New York understand these issues, which is why we’re taking the time to cover one unexpected change: body temperature fluctuations.

Cold Intolerance

In general, some people just feel colder than others, and this doesn’t always directly relate to body weight. If you often feel colder than others and need a jacket or sweater, it’s possible that you have a condition known as cold intolerance. Cold intolerance has been linked to changes in body fat, resulting in issues regulating body heat.

Feeling Cold After Rapid Weight Loss

When your body loses weight rapidly as a result of bariatric surgery or some other reason, the result is a loss of body fat. This obviously impacts the way a person is insulated from cooler temperatures. When a person is losing weight rapidly, their metabolism also slows down, which can cause issues with overall body temperature regulation, too.

Anemia Can Also Contribute To Feeling Colder Than Usual

After undergoing any kind of bariatric surgery, it is common for patients to become anemic. Anemia, the deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin in your blood, can cause feelings of fatigue and can also contribute to feeling colder than usual.

Why does this happen after weight loss surgery? It mostly occurs due to an iron deficiency. Like we’ve discussed in previous blogs, it’s easy to get an iron deficiency after bariatric surgery, especially if you’ve undergone a malabsorptive surgery, as it can be difficult to get all the iron you need.

Feeling Hotter Than Usual?

While the majority of bariatric surgery patients feel colder than usual, it is common for patients to feel warmer than usual, too. This is typically just your body’s response to a major change in fat storage and weight.

Are These Hot And Cold Sensations Permanent?

No, not necessarily. As your body weight stabilizes, which is normally after 18 to 24 months, you will likely notice the fluctuations in your body temperature subside. We know that it can be a frustrating time, but your body is really good at adapting to change.

What Are Your Options For Addressing These Issues?

Addressing cold intolerance involves addressing the root cause in a realistic and sensible way. If you’re anemic or have issues with iron deficiency, consuming a healthier diet or taking iron supplements will be your best option. During the surgical consultation, we’ll discuss how you can get the most ideal diet for several different nutritional deficiencies. Sometimes you may need to carry a light jacket or sweater with you until your body temperature evens out.

Contact Dr. Rosen At Weight Zen

To learn more about bariatric surgery in New York and all of the potential side effects and challenges you may face, be sure to contact Weight Zen weight loss center today, using the below form. Our team will work with you to meet your needs and enhance your overall health and appearance.

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