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How to Get a More Masculine Chest With Male Breast Reduction

Men can feel more confident at the pool with a firmer chest after gynecomastia surgery.

Men can feel more confident at the pool with a firmer chest after gynecomastia surgery.

Having a masculine physique is of the utmost importance to many men.

Unfortunately, a condition known as gynecomastia can give men excess breast fat and breast tissue that interferes with this image.

Gynecomastia can be highly embarrassing and can inhibit men from feeling confident and comfortable in their bodies.

Male breast reduction surgery can get rid of gynecomastia and give men a more attractive and masculine chest appearance. 

About Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is identified by excess breast tissue and fat in the chest. Some of the causes of gynecomastia include:

  • Hormone changes (especially during puberty)
  • Major weight gain/fluctuations
  • Genetics
  • Aging
  • Drug use
  • Steroid abuse
  • Certain medical conditions

Gynecomastia is relatively common and often causes feelings of intense embarrassment and anxiety.

Men may refuse to go swimming without a shirt, or they may avoid baring their chests in front of others for any reason.

Affected males tend to feel self-conscious about their figures, and this can translate into other aspects of their life and influence how they interact with the world around them.

Gynecomastia Surgery

Male breast reduction is a surgical procedure that can help men get rid of their overgrown breast tissue.

Widely recognized as one of the best plastic surgery procedures for men, male breast reduction for the treatment of gynecomastia was one of the top five male cosmetic plastic surgery procedures in 2016.

In fact, gynecomastia surgery has become so popular that it has risen by an astonishing 181 percent since 1997.*

Men who undergo this treatment typically experience notable improvements in their quality of life, including peace of mind, a feeling of freedom, increased confidence, greater clothing options, and improved comfort with their bodies.

Your Options for Male Breast Reduction

For male breast reduction, there are several gynecomastia treatment options:

  • Liposuction: This option removes chest fat and leaves no scarring. It is best for those men who have excess fat but no surplus breast tissue.
  • Mini-scar: This option removes fat and excess breast tissue through a small incision around the areola. Scarring is minimal and blends well with the edges of the areola.
  • Male breast reduction (traditional approach): This option removes fat, skin, and excess breast tissue using a larger incision. It is reserved for those with moderate or severe cases of gynecomastia.
  • Ultrashape®: This option uses pulsed ultrasonic energy waves to destroy chest fat without any surgery. It is best for those with a limited amount of excess fat in the chest.

Using one of these approaches, men with gynecomastia can achieve a permanently more masculine chest contour through male breast reduction.

Want More Information?

Dr. Joshua Halpern, our board-certified plastic surgeon, has assisted men both young and old in eliminating gynecomastia and improving their body shape through male breast reduction.

To learn how Dr. Halpern could help you, call (813) 872-2696 or complete our online form to request your consultation today.


* Statistics provided by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The Mini-Scar Tummy Tuck

When dreaming about a flat, toned tummy, a long tummy tuck scar is the furthest thing from the mind. If you are interested in tummy tuck surgery but haven’t taken the plunge because you are concerned about scarring, Dr. Halpern’s mini-scar tummy tuck could be perfect for you.

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He was one of the pioneers of the mini-scar endoscopic tummy tuck. The mini-scar tummy tuck can tighten the abdominal muscles and get rid of excess belly fat with smaller, inconspicuous scars.

Scarring With the Mini-Scar Tummy Tuck

With the mini-scar tummy tuck, scarring is significantly reduced. First, Dr. Halpern performs ultrasonic-assisted liposuction (UAL) to remove excess abdominal fat through tiny incisions.

He makes minor incisions just wide enough to allow the ultrasonic wand and cannula to pass through the skin. This step gets rid of a belly pooch and gives you a flatter abdomen. Next, Dr. Halpern tightens the stomach muscles through a relatively small incision that is hidden in the pubic hair, using the Halpern Endoscopic Retractor which he invented.

This “mini scar” can reveal a firmer, more toned, and more defined abdominal contour without lengthy or multiple incisions.

He can further tighten skin using a new high-tech device called J-Plasma® by Renuvion™. This uses radiofrequency technology to tighten skin.

A Flat, Toned Abdomen Without Major Scars

When exercise and diet have failed you, a mini-scar tummy tuck can help you achieve a firmer and flatter stomach without the downsides of unsightly scars. After your procedure, you can enjoy your new look while wearing any clothing you desire.

Many patients are extremely satisfied with their results and feel more confident about their appearance after a mini-scar tummy tuck.

Candidates for a mini-scar tummy tuck have good skin tone (not too loose or too thin) but struggle with weakened abdominal muscles and excess tummy fat. To learn more about this technique and other tummy tuck options, schedule your free consultation with Dr. Joshua Halpern. Dr. Halpern is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a leader in endoscopic mini-scar surgery. Call (813) 872-2696 or fill out our online contact form to request your appointment today.

Liposuction vs. UltraShape®: Which Is Better?

The average plastic surgery candidate today has the freedom to choose between multiple body contouring procedures, all of which are popular and have been proven successful. In the case of choosing between liposuction and UltraShape®, you should know that each has advantages and disadvantages. Whichever you choose, liposuction and UltraShape® are both excellent body contouring procedures that can permanently get rid of excess fat and enhance your body shape.

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Liposuction

Liposuction is a way of artfully contouring the body by targeting excess fatty deposits. Dr. Halpern is a highly experienced liposuction surgeon and regularly performs this procedure to enhance the body shape of his patients. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on this subject. During the procedure, a suction device vacuums the fat cells from the body through a thin, hollow tube that is inserted into the skin. With liposuction, Dr. Halpern can improve the contour of the chin, neck, upper arms, chest, breasts, flanks, hips, underarms, abdomen, waist, love handles, mons pubis, thighs, knees, calves, ankles, buttocks, and back. He incorporates the SAFELipo® technique. This surgery can get rid of resistant fat all over the body and can even be combined with fat transfer techniques, in which fat harvested through liposuction can be injected into the face, buttocks, or breasts to enhance the contour of these areas.

Key Advantages:

  • Can treat anywhere on the body
  • Can remove a significant amount of fat
  • Goals may be accomplished in just one procedure
  • Results are immediately apparent (but may be initially hidden by temporary swelling)
  • Can be combined with fat transfer
  • Results are permanent

UltraShape®

UltraShape® is a non-surgical way of enhancing the body without a lengthy and painful recovery period. Dr. Halpern offers UltraShape® to help patients rid the body of unwanted fat tissue without invasive surgery. UltraShape® uses ultrasound energy to non-surgically rupture the fat cells, after which the body flushes them away. With this technology, UltraShape® can improve the contour of areas that commonly accumulate unwanted fat, such as the abdomen, thighs, hips, chest, back, and arms. Studies have indicated that the procedure gets rid of more fat per session than other non-surgical treatments such as CoolSculpting®. Unlike CoolSculpting®, there is not typically any pain during or after the procedure.

Key Advantages:

  • Non-surgical
  • No pain
  • No downtime
  • No scarring
  • Results are permanent

Which Is Better?

As you choose between liposuction and UltraShape®, whichever is better for you will depend on what matters most to you and what your body needs in terms of the body contouring experience.

  • Permanent Results: Both
  • Shorter Treatment: UltraShape® (liposuction treatment length varies depending on the number of areas treated)
  • Less Pain: UltraShape®
  • Shorter Recovery: UltraShape®
  • No Scarring: UltraShape® (although liposuction produces minimal to no scarring)
  • Faster Results: Liposuction
  • Greater Amount of Fat Removal: Liposuction
  • Fewer Treatment Sessions Needed: Liposuction

Liposuction and UltraShape® can significantly improve body contour and help people from all walks of life achieve their desired figures. Dr. Halpern is a skilled body contouring surgeon and would be pleased to help you select the right procedure for your needs.

If you would like to learn more about liposuction and/or UltraShape®, please contact us to request your personal consultation with Dr. Halpern. To reach our office, please call (813) 872-2696 today or contact us online at your convenience.

Cheek Lift for Jowls

Full, round, and firm cheeks are a sign of youth. From kissable, squeezable baby cheeks to the firm, high cheekbones of a 20-year-old, shapely cheeks portray a youthful appearance. Unfortunately, while there are ways to postpone cheek and facial aging so that you age gracefully, some level of cheek sagging is ultimately unavoidable. If your cheeks have become deflated, sunken, or saggy, a cheek lift and/or fat injections can help to rejuvenate your face and make you look like your younger self.

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The Endoscopic Cheek Lift

Aging and gravity inevitably cause the cheeks to droop over time. An excellent solution for this issue is the endoscopic cheek lift, also called a mid-facelift. This procedure raises the cheeks to help you look more youthful. Dr. Joshua Halpern will make small incisions under your lower eyelashes and use an endoscope to elevate the soft tissues of the cheeks. He will then tighten and lift the cheeks. Since the cheek lift is performed endoscopically, swelling and bruising are minimal, and the recovery is generally quick compared to traditional techniques.

Dr. Joshua Halpern is one of the few surgeons in the country who performs a true endoscopic cheek lift for his patients. As a pioneer of this procedure, Dr. Halpern has considerable experience and has been performing endoscopic cheek lift surgery since 1994. He has lectured nationally and internationally on this subject.

Combining Your Cheek Lift With Other Rejuvenation Treatments

Dr. Halpern can combine your cheek lift procedure with other rejuvenation treatments to improve the results. For older patients, fat injections can help enhance the lifted appearance of the cheeks. If you have bulging fat bags beneath your lower eyelids, Dr. Halpern can easily perform lower eyelid surgery at the same time as your cheek lift since they require the same incision. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Halpern would be pleased to recommend the appropriate procedure or procedures to eliminate your jowls and help you reclaim a more youthful facial appearance.

 

As one of the world’s most experienced surgeons in endoscopic brow and cheek lift surgery, Dr. Halpern has trained numerous plastic surgeons in the proper technique. If you would like to learn more about how a cheek lift could rejuvenate your appearance, call (813) 872-2696 or fill out our online contact form to request your consultation today.

What Is Buttock Augmentation With Fat Grafting?

It wasn’t long ago when fat was viewed as the ultimate enemy of beauty. Today, we still strive to eliminate fat from most areas of the body, but we also want fat to enhance certain areas such as the buttocks, breasts, and face. Buttock augmentation with fat grafting accomplishes both of these goals in one by removing fat from unwanted areas and transferring it to the buttocks to give you a round and shapely backside.

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How It Works

Buttock augmentation with fat grafting, more commonly called the Brazilian Butt Lift, uses the body’s own fat to enhance the buttocks. Put simply, this procedure uses liposuction to extract fat from one area of the body, purifies it, and then re-injects it into the buttocks. Usually, the fat is extracted from the waist, abdomen, and/or thighs, and it is then strategically injected into specific areas of the buttocks to enhance its shape, smooth it out, and increase its volume.

The Benefits of Butt Augmentation With Fat Grafting

It’s difficult to overstate the benefits of butt augmentation with fat grafting. Enhancing the buttocks helps it appear smoother, firmer, and more lifted and shapely so that you can look just as good going as you do coming. Removing fat from the thighs and waist not only accentuates the buttocks further but minimizes these areas so that your overall body shape is more curvaceous and attractive.

The procedure can be performed on individuals of different age groups, providing rejuvenation and revitalization of the skin for a more youthful appearance to the backside. The Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is also completely customizable—Dr. Halpern can perform the procedure according to your desires and specifications so that your better-contoured backside meets your aesthetic goals. Because the body’s natural fat is used, there is no risk of allergic reaction and the results tend to look more natural and realistic. With buttock enhancement using fat grafting, you can have greater self-confidence and gratifying improvements to your body shape.

Dr. Halpern is excited by a new high-tech device he uses to perform BBL called the Vibrasat®. Please see our Vibrasat® video for more information.

Dr. Halpern is an experienced and artistic plastic surgeon who can help you achieve your aesthetic goals whether you desire small enhancement, medium enhancement, or large enhancement of your buttocks. To learn more about buttock augmentation with fat grafting, schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Halpern by calling (813) 872-2696 or by filling out our online contact form today.

Mommy Makeover—A Dream Come True

The Mommy Makeover is, for many women, a dream come true. That would seem to make Dr. Joshua Halpern like a fairy godmother, sprinkling a princess with fairy dust, transforming her and making her wishes come true. He may not wear a crown or a beautiful gown or even have a magic wand, but he just might be able to make some of your wishes come true.

Mother Holding Young Son on Beach

The Effects of Pregnancy on Your Body

When you think about your children, you probably feel great love for them. But truthfully, you may not feel love for the way your body looks after having them. Now that you’re done breastfeeding, you may be thinking about what that did to your breasts. Perhaps you want those breasts made perkier? Bigger Smaller? Lifted? Reduced?

How about that stomach that stretched and stretched for nine months? Perhaps you want that tummy pooch to go away? Poof!

Do you want liposuction to take the little extra off here and there from pregnancy weight gain? Or from the “enriching” lifestyle that children bring, with their birthday cakes, snacks, treats, and juices?

Are you stressing about the kids? Are they entering their toddler years? Teenage years? Getting married? Stress shows up in different ways on different people. Where is your stress showing? On your hips? Your thighs? If you are an older mom or you have older kids, is your face reflecting your stress with wrinkles, worry lines?

If your daughter is old enough to be thinking about having a breast augmentation and you come along for her consultation, do you remember all of a sudden that you meant to have your breasts done all those years ago? That tummy tucked?

Want to feel like your old younger self? Want to do something nice for yourself? Want to do something just for you? Dr. Halpern can address your cosmetic surgery needs.

Now Is the Time

Yes, this is a serious business—having surgery. But if you are always doing things for others, working hard to raise good children into good adults, that is serious business as well. You might as well reward yourself with a Mommy Makeover—a serious effort to improve yourself. (Doesn’t improving yourself set a good example for your children?)

Just a few years ago, mothers used to wait until their children were just about grown up, to have plastic surgery. These days it could be a young mother, as well as the older mother who desired it. That is the beauty of Dr. Halpern’s Mommy Makeover: it addresses your own personal needs and is tailored to each woman. Make a list! So while you may have children, you might also still want to look hot and feel sexy. Besides, checking things off your to-do list also sets a good example for your children, right?

If you are interested in how a Mommy Makeover can benefit you, contact us today by calling (813) 872-2696 or (800) 963-8483, or by filling out our online contact form.

Get Rid of Cellulite With Cellfina™

Over the years, countless creams and treatments have purported to be able to remove cellulite from the body. Most of them either do not work at all or appear to work for only a very short period of time. Now, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finally approved a treatment that is proven effective in getting rid of cellulite. Cellfina™ is a new procedure that can eliminate cellulite from the thighs and buttocks with lasting results.

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The Trick to Targeting Cellulite

Perhaps a part of the reason many previous cellulite treatments have failed is that they do not address the appropriate issue. Contrary to popular belief, cellulite is not a certain special kind of fat that is particularly resistant to dieting and exercise. Rather, cellulite is a condition where subcutaneous fat bulges through the collagen fibers in the skin, creating an unnaturally dimpled and bumpy appearance. While weight loss may help reduce the amount of fat in the area, this may have no effect in eliminating cellulite if the fibrous bands are still taut against the remaining fat. The trick to targeting cellulite is focusing on these thick, fibrous bands through which the fat bulges. This is the approach used with Cellfina™.

How Cellfina™ Works

Cellfina™ targets cellulite in the thighs and buttocks, where subcutaneous fat is thick and more likely to press against the fibers in the skin. With only local anesthesia and no scalpel incisions, Cellfina™ uses a needle-sized device to sever these fibrous bands. By releasing this tension, the skin no longer puckers around the fat. With a single treatment session and absolutely no fat removal at all, the area will quickly smooth itself out. Cellfina™ is minimally invasive and results in improvements in the appearance of cellulite. In just a few days, patients can enjoy a much smoother appearance in the thighs and buttocks with results that have been proven to last for up to three years or longer.

Cellfina™ is the latest and greatest in innovative techniques for improving the appearance of cellulite. Dr. Halpern now offers Cellfina™ as a treatment for qualifying patients at his Tampa, Florida practice. For more information on Cellfina™, contact our office at (813) 872-2696 or complete our online contact form to schedule your personal consultation today.

The Three Stages of Breast Sagging

Over the years, many women find that their breasts slowly begin to sag and lose their feminine shape. This unfortunate situation can happen because of aging, gravity, heredity, and childbirth. Breast sagging (ptosis), no matter what stage of severity, can be corrected with breast lift surgery to give you perkier, younger-looking breasts.

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The Ptosis Scale

In the mildest form of breast sagging or ptosis, the nipple is above the breast fold. However, more more serious degrees of breast sagging can be measured on the following ptosis scale:

Grade I: Mild Ptosis

You have mild breast sagging if your nipples fall right at the level of the inframammary fold (the crease beneath the breasts). With mild breast sagging, most of the lower breast tissue still hangs beneath the nipples.

Grade II: Moderate Ptosis

You have moderate breast sagging if your nipples rest just below the inframammary fold. Most of the breast tissue still hangs below the nipples, but there is noticeable sagging.

Grade III: Advanced or Severe Ptosis

You have advanced or severe ptosis if your nipples rest below the inframammary fold and the bulk of your breast tissue. The nipples are at the level of maximum breast projection and are pointing downward.

Correction With Breast Lift Surgery

For the mildest form of breast sagging or ptosis where the nipple is above the breast fold, a patient might not need breast lift surgery, and an implant alone may provide the necessary lift. However, breast lift surgery can correct more serious ptosis (grade I, II, and III).

Using careful techniques and finesse, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joshua Halpern can tighten the breasts and remove excess, sagging tissue. He can also reshape the breasts so that they look more natural, firm, and round. During the procedure, the breasts are resituated higher on the chest, and the nipples are repositioned higher on the breasts. Dr. Halpern is incredibly precise in his surgical technique and is the designer of the Halpern Breast Marker, a tool sold worldwide for accuracy in performing breast lift surgeries. He also incorporates The Finesse Technique℠, which he invented.

Bleeding is minimal, and post-op pain and recovery are less versus the traditional technique. Patients typically do not require any medications, besides TYLENOL®, after surgery, and they can resume driving after two days and work after three days; although, individual experiences will vary. Women who desire a more youthful breast appearance and correction of breast sagging, regardless of their degree of sagging, can achieve younger-looking breasts with breast lift surgery.

Dr. Halpern can perform breast lift surgery to rejuvenate your appearance and improve your breast shape and position. Call (813) 872-2696 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Joshua Halpern today.

Is Breast Augmentation Good for You?

before-and-after-breast-augmentation-surgeryBreast augmentation is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. As such, it warrants the question: is breast augmentation good for you? While there are plenty of differing opinions on plastic surgery and breast enlargement in general, this answer to question ultimately depends on you and whether you are interested in achieving the following benefits of breast augmentation for yourself.

Breast Augmentation Can Improve Your Body Shape

By enlarging your breasts, breast augmentation can improve your body shape. This procedure augments the appropriate curves to make your waist appear more narrow by comparison. Enhancing the bust area creates more of a natural hourglass shape and can bring the breasts into balance with the hips. It can also make your breasts look more youthful and perky. After breast augmentation, you may look and feel more attractive, sexy, and confident in your new figure.

Breast Augmentation Can Help You Look Better in Your Clothing

Many breast augmentation candidates desire larger breasts so that they look more flattering in various clothing styles. Enlargement of this area of the female body can present many more clothing options for the fashion-oriented woman. In particular, bikinis, dresses, and lingerie are often designed to highlight the breasts and can look even more flattering when a woman has larger breasts.

Breast Augmentation Can Enhance Your Body Image

Enhancing your body shape is not just about influencing how others perceive you but also how you perceive yourself. Poor body image can stem from having small breasts, a disproportionate figure, a lack of feminine curves, or noticeable breast asymmetries. Breast augmentation can correct all these issues and create a more feminine, balanced, and beautiful figure that can greatly improve your body image.

Breast Augmentation Can Improve Your Self-Esteem and Confidence

Improving your body shape, how you look in clothing, and your body image can also boost your self-esteem and confidence. A woman who is happy with and proud of her body shape is more likely to feel happy and confident in herself. This confidence can carry over into other aspects of your life and may greatly enrich your enjoyment, success, and quality of life. Once you recognize these benefits, there should be no question as to whether breast augmentation can be very good for 

Breast augmentation has many more benefits in addition to those listed above. If you would like to learn more about how you could benefit from breast augmentation, schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Joshua Halpern. Call (813) 872-2696 or complete our online contact form to request your appointment today.

Never an Excuse to Forget Your Skin

Although the concepts of military service and skincare may not necessarily sound as though they would go hand-in-hand, this is exactly what many South Korean men find as they participate in their mandatory service. For them, taking care of their skin is a part of taking care of their overall health. Korea has one of the largest skincare industries anywhere in the world, and the grooming industry for men alone is estimated to be worth over one billion dollars. For many Korean men, their dedication to skincare starts during their time in the military, a mandatory two-year service in which many begin to notice the deterioration of their complexions. Between the long hours in the bright sun and the harsh chemicals of their camouflage cream, most soldiers develop a skincare routine to help their skin manage the rough elements. Their devotion to the health and maintenance of their skin is an example of how there is never a reason to forget about your skin.

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A Normal Skincare Routine

Although the skincare regimen differs from soldier to soldier, most focus on three main areas: a foam cleanser, a hydrating moisturizer, and a face mask. Some Korean men even follow an elaborate 10-step skincare routine that leaves their complexions looking and feeling fresh, healthy, and reinvigorated. The overlapping of Korean skincare and military service has even inspired some of the largest Korean cosmetic companies to create military-themed cleansers and “barracks kits” to ensure that the quality of their skin is not forgotten about or neglected. And even after their time in the military has ended, many men carry on with their elaborate skincare routines, spending twice as much on skincare products than men in any other country.

How Can You Apply This?

While not every man is going to or able to invest in the same products or number of products that Korean soldiers do, it’s valuable to examine how you can incorporate skincare into your own daily routine. Whether or not you spend hours in the sun fighting harsh elements, skincare is essential. Neglecting your skin leads to premature aging, which in turn can negatively affect self-image and confidence levels. While introducing facial cleansers, moisturizers, and masks is an excellent way to keep your complexion looking healthy and youthful, cosmetic procedures, such as chemical peels, dermaplaning, and microdermabrasion, can help reach the deeper levels and get you on your way to great looking skin. These exfoliating procedures even out the tone and texture of your skin to reveal a smoother and rejuvenated complexion. Allow your dry and tired skin to be a thing of the past.

Restore your complexion by following your very own skincare routine. To learn more about Dr. Halpern’s exfoliation procedures, contact his office by calling (813) 872-2696 to set up a consultation.

Memberships

and Privileges

Dr. Halpern is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, The Aesthetic Society, and International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.


associations

Our Location

Contact Information

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JOSHUA A. HALPERN, MD, PA
Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

4214 N. Habana Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 872-2696
(800) 963-8483

Out-of-Town

Traveling Patients

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Dr. Halpern has operated on patients from many countries and almost every state in the U.S. Some of these countries are:

Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

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