Breast Augmentation, Lift, Reduction, and More at Our Sacramento Office — Serving Modesto, Stockton, Roseville, and Beyond

Providing breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, and male breast reduction surgery to patients from Sacramento, Modesto, Stockton, Roseville, and El Dorado Hills, Dr. Charles Perry has helped countless men and women achieve a better body image and self-esteem. Chrysalis Cosmetics offers a full range of breast procedures to give you a body you love.

• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Lift
• Breast Reduction
• Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)

Breast Augmentation

We perform breast augmentation surgery at our Sacramento practice near Modesto to enlarge the breasts using saline-filled implants. Women have a variety of reasons for undergoing breast augmentation:

• Enhance body contour and enlarge breasts to a more optimal shape and size
• Restore breast size and shape after loss of breast volume post-pregnancy
• Balance breast size and correct asymmetry
• Correct partial or total loss of the breast(s) after disease, trauma, or mastectomy
• Replace existing breast implants, for either reconstructive or cosmetic reasons

There are a variety of implant choices available to patients undergoing breast augmentation. The size, shape, and texture of the implant are chosen to match the patient’s anatomy, needs, and desired cosmetic outcome.

  

  

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Candidates for Breast Augmentation

If you are over 18 and healthy, mentally stable, and realistic about the limitations of breast augmentation, you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Breast augmentation is not recommended for:

• Individuals with untreated breast cancer or pre-malignant breast disorders
• Individuals with any type of active infection
• Women that are pregnant or nursing
• Individuals with a weakened or suppressed immune system
• Individuals suffering from certain medical conditions

Health issues or medications that interfere with blood clotting or wound healing are problematic. Poor clotting can cause safety issues during surgery while poor wound healing can negatively affect the final outcome of surgery and cause discomfort

• Individuals with reduced blood flow to the breasts

This condition can result from prior surgery or radiation therapy.

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How is breast augmentation performed?

Breast augmentation is performed by inserting a breast implant, usually filled with saline solution, behind the breast tissue or beneath the chest muscles. At Chrysalis Cosmetics, Dr. Charles Perry prefers to utilize the dual plane approach, the most common technique performed in North America. During this procedure, the implant is placed behind the pectoralis muscle, while still remaining on top of another chest muscle — a method that ensures adequate soft-tissue coverage of the implant. While the dual plane approach is best performed through an inframammary incision (made along the fold of the breast), Dr. Perry also performs breast augmentation surgery through incisions located within the axilla (armpit) or around the perimeter of each areola.

Regardless of the approach, the location of the implant — as well as its size, shape and type — are chosen based on your anatomy, preferences, and the surgeon’s recommendation.

If you are experiencing breast sagging or are noticing stretch marks (diminished skin tone) on the breasts, reaching your aesthetic goals may require a breast lift procedure be performed in conjunction with the breast augmentation. The breast lift will bring the nipple and areola upward, and to excise loose skin.

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Things to Consider Before Undergoing Breast Augmentation

Patients thinking of undergoing breast augmentation surgery should consider the following:

Symmetry

If your breasts differ in size or shape going into breast augmentation surgery, it is unlikely they will become completely symmetrical afterwards.

Long-term commitment

Breast augmentation with saline-filled implants is rarely a one-time surgery. Breast implants, regardless of type, are not considered to last a lifetime. Most likely, secondary surgery to replace or remove your breast implants will become necessary someday, or you may want to undergo breast lift as aging progresses.

Breast augmentation can cause permanent anatomical changes

Surgical changes made to the breasts are not always reversible. These changes may cause the appearance of the breast to become unacceptable if the breast implants are removed.

Financial responsibilities

Breast augmentation , with our without breast lift, is done on a fee-for-service basis, and as such the procedure is not covered by health insurance. Your total surgical fee will include the cost of surgical supplies, anesthesia, laboratory tests, medications, surgery center charges, and possibly more. If you experience complications, you will probably incur additional expenses.

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Risks of Breast Augmentation Surgery

While every surgical procedure involves some risk, the majority of women do not experience the following complications. However, we encourage you to discuss each risk, potential complication, and the long-term commitment associated with breast augmentation with Dr. Perry.

Studies have shown that despite occasional problems, most women are satisfied with the results of breast augmentation surgery. We encourage patients to become well-educated on the risks of breast augmentation surgery, so they can make an educated decision about whether breast augmentation is right for them.

There are two categories of complications: those specifically related to breast implants, and more general surgical risks.

Risks Related to Saline Breast Implants

Implant failure

Just like other medical devices, implants can break or leak. The advantage of saline implants is that in the event that it deflates, the body will safely absorb the salt water. Damaged implants cannot be fixed and must be replaced or removed during another surgical procedure. In addition, saline implants eventually wear out.

Capsular contracture

In some cases, scar tissue forms around the breast implant, then tightens. The result is a round, firm, and sometimes painful breast. Capsular contracture is impossible to predict and can occur anytime after surgery, though it is more common when implants are placed in front of the layer of chest muscle.

Implant extrusion / tissue necrosis

Infection or inadequate tissue coverage can result in the implant extruding through the skin. As the implant pushes through layers of skin, it becomes visible.

Skin rippling

While some wrinkling is normal following breast augmentation, sometimes implants wrinkle in a way that is visible and palpable. This problem is most pronounced in those with textured implants or thin breast tissue.

Change in breast sensation

Immediately after breast augmentation surgery, it’s common to experience some change in nipple sensation, similar to what happens after breast reduction. Most patients recover normal sensation in a few months. However, it’s possible to experience partial or permanent loss of skin and nipple sensation, and these changes can affect sexual response or breastfeeding ability.

Implant displacement

The implant may migrate or rotate away from its initial placement, which can cause discomfort or the distortion of the breast’s shape. To correct this problem, additional surgery may be needed.

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Risks Related to Surgery in General

Bleeding during or after surgery

Postoperative bleeding may require emergency treatment to drain the blood. To prevent bleeding, avoid taking aspirin or any anti-inflammatory medications 10 days before surgery, as well as nonprescription herbs and dietary supplements.

Seroma (accumulation of fluid around the implant)

This may contribute to infection, capsular contracture, and other problems. Additional treatment may be required to drain the fluid.

Infection

Though rare, infection is a possibility. Infection may be treated with antibiotics, removal of the implant, or additional surgery.

Scarring

Though rare, it is possible that abnormal, unattractive scars will form, requiring additional corrective surgery.

Thrombosed veins

These veins, which resemble cords, may develop in the area of the breast but will resolve without intervention.

Pain

Pain is to be expected for a short period of time after breast augmentation surgery; however, in some cases it persists. Capsular contracture, sensory nerve entrapment, or injury to tissues can cause pain of various intensities and duration.

Unsatisfactory result

A variety of factors can lead to dissatisfaction with the results of breast augmentation surgery. These include asymmetry, nipple location, unanticipated breast shape or size, and unsatisfactory surgical scar location. In some cases, additional surgery may be needed or desired to remove the implants or improve your results.

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Long-term Results and Risks of Breast Augmentation

Breastfeeding

Women with breast implants are generally able to successfully breastfeed, though it is unknown whether this poses increased risks to the baby. If breast lift is done together with breast augmentation, this will probably not affect breastfeeding either.

Breast cancer

A recent study of nearly 25,000 Canadian women found that those with breast implants actually had a lower rate of breast cancer than the general population. You should still perform periodic self-examinations, have regular mammograms, and visit a doctor if you notice a breast lump.

Mammography

The presence of breast implants can complicate mammography and can obscure the detection of breast cancer. It’s also possible, though rare, for the breast compression of mammography to cause implant rupture. In addition, capsular contracture may also complicate mammography and make it more painful.

Long-term alterations in breast shape

The gradual sagging of breast tissue is a fact of life. In addition, weight loss or gain, pregnancy, and other factors unrelated to your breast augmentation surgery will affect the shape of your breasts. If your breasts are already sagging as a result of age, breast lift, with or without breast augmentation, can be an excellent solution.

Need for additional surgery

In the future, is it possible that revision, removal, or replacement of breast implants will be needed. Each of these surgical procedures has its own risks and potential complications.

Complete Pre- and Post-operative Instructions for Breast Augmentation Patients

This comprehensive list of instructions will guide the pre- and post-operative behavior of patients undergoing breast augmentation surgery at our Sacramento and practice near the Modesto area. We recommend that you read over the instructions as soon as your surgery day is scheduled, then print them out and bring them with you on your surgery day.

Breast augmentation instructions (printer-friendly)

Breast Augmentation at Chrysalis Cosmetics

When you undergo breast augmentation at our Sacramento practice located close to Modesto, you can be assured that your results will fit your cosmetic goals, body type, and lifestyle. We seek to provide stunning, customized results, one patient at a time. Contact our cosmetic surgery practice today to learn more or schedule a consultation.

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Breast Lift Surgery

With aging and pregnancy, the breasts can lose volume and start to sag. A breast lift at our Sacramento practice, near Stockton, elevates the nipples, areolas, and breast tissue to a more youthful position. The breast lift procedure can be combined with breast reduction or breast augmentation procedures to address patients' unique concerns and achieve excellent results.

Candidates for Breast Lift

If you are over 18 and healthy, mentally stable, and realistic about the limitations of breast lift, you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Breast lift is not recommended for:

• Individuals with untreated breast cancer or pre-malignant breast disorders.
• Individuals with any type of active infection.
• Women who are pregnant, nursing, or plan to be pregnant in the future.
• Individuals with weakened or suppressed immune systems
• Individuals suffering from any condition that interferes with blood clotting or wound healing
• Individuals with reduced blood flow to the breasts from prior surgery or radiation therapy.
• Individuals with cosmetic complaints primarily related to the volume of the breasts

These concerns may be better addressed by a breast reduction or breast augmentation. However, in many cases a breast lift is successfully combined with breast reduction or breast augmentation. Discuss your individual situation with Dr. Perry.

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How is breast lift surgery performed?

There are several techniques that can be used to accomplish breast lift surgery at our Stockton area practice, and the surgical method the surgeon chooses is dependent on your breast size and degree of sagging.

Concentric Breast Lift

For women with relatively small and less droopy breasts, a concentric (also called "doughnut") breast lift is ideal. In this technique, the surgeon will cut a circular strip of tissue from around the areola, the skin is removed, and then the nipple and areola are moved upward, restoring a youthful profile to the breast. The advantage of this approach is that the incisions are relatively small, simplifying healing and minimizing visible scarring.

The Lollipop Breast Lift

In a variation of the concentric breast lift, Dr. Perry extends the excision down to the crease of the breast. This incision allows more skin to be removed and the breast to be lifted more dramatically.

Anchor-Shaped Breast Lift

For women with larger breasts, the more classic anchor-shaped breast lift incision is generally more appropriate. This approach utilizes an incision around the areola, and another incision extending down to the lower breast fold. Some skin is removed and the sides of the incision are brought together, elevating the nipple and areola and giving the breasts a new shape. This technique utilizes larger incisions than the concentric breast lift but is necessary to effectively lift larger breasts.

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Things to Consider Before Undergoing Breast Lift Surgery

Women thinking of undergoing breast lift surgery should consider the following:

Symmetry

If your breasts differ in size or shape going into surgery, it is unlikely they will be completely symmetrical afterwards.

Breast lift, by itself, cannot restore volume to the breasts

Breast lift can only bring your breast tissue upwards and excise excess skin. In many cases, breast lift combined with breast augmentation is the best way to restore volume to the breast.

Breast lift can be performed simultaneously with breast reduction

Breast lift can reduce the size of the areolas

This is done in addition to the usual lifting of the nipple and areola during the surgery.

The results of breast lift do not last forever

While breast lift can create a more youthful looking bust line, it cannot permanently halt the natural aging process.

Pregnancy will largely negate the results of breast lift

As pregnancy stretches the breast, making breast lift not recommendable for women who may become pregnant in the future. However, breast lift will not affect your ability to breastfeed.

Scarring

Breast lift , especially the traditional anchor-shaped technique, will leave a scar. Even if you refrain from smoking and carefully follow all instructions, scars are to be expected after breast lift surgery.

Financial responsibilities

Breast lift surgery is performed on a fee-for-service basis, meaning that the surgery is not covered by health insurance. Your total surgical fee will include the cost of surgical supplies, anesthesia, laboratory tests, medications, surgery center charges, and possibly more. If you experience complications, you will incur additional expenses. However, if the complication is considered a health risk, your health plan will cover the cost of hospitalization, anesthesia, and/or additional surgery.

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Risks of Breast Lift Surgery

We encourage patients to become educated on the risks of breast lift surgery, so that they can make an informed decision about whether the surgery is right for them. Some of the risks of breast lift surgery include:

Bleeding or infection

Patients can experience a bleeding episode during or after breast lift surgery, and infection is a risk of any surgery. These complications may require a return trip to the hospital and, in the case of infection, treatment with antibiotics.

Reactions to anesthesia or surgical materials

Anesthesia-related reactions are the most common of any type of surgery. They cannot be predicted and can cause serious injury or even death. In addition, surgical materials such as tape, sutures, or medications can cause an allergic reaction. Usually this reaction is localized and easily addressed.

Numbness

Some temporary numbness is to be expected after breast lift; in some cases, this numbness will persist for months or even permanently.

Poor healing

Breast lift will leave scars, even if all postsurgical instructions are followed. However, poor healing sometimes occurs, especially if the patient smokes during the healing period. In some cases, this poor healing requires additional surgery to correct.

Risks related to breast implants if augmentation is performed

If breast implants are used to restore volume and fullness to the breasts during a breast lift, they introduce another set of risks.

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Complete Pre- and Post-operative Instructions for Breast Lift Patients

Following the surgeon’s instructions before and after breast lift surgery is crucial to a smooth healing period and a good surgical result with minimal scarring. We have compiled this comprehensive list of pre- and post-surgery instructions for you to reference. Study the instructions before surgery. Then, print them out and bring them with you on your surgery day.

Breast lift instructions (printer-friendly)

Breast Lift at Chrysalis Cosmetics

Our Sacramento practice provides breast lift to patients from Stockton, Roseville, El Dorado Hills, and other surrounding areas. Please contact Chrysalis Cosmetics today to learn more about breast lift surgery, or to schedule a consultation.

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Breast Reduction

Breast reduction surgery at our Sacramento practice, near Modesto, can help women who suffer from discomfort or health problem attributed to overly large breasts, including pain in the back, neck, or shoulders. In addition to remedying the physical staring cause by large breasts, breast reduction can also address cosmetic issues such as breast asymmetry, low nipples, large areolas, and breasts that are proportionately too large for a woman’s body. Because oversized breasts cause considerable pain, hygiene problems, embarrassment, restrictions in activity, limited clothing options and more, breast reduction can be a highly rewarding and therapeutic surgery.

Candidates for Breast Reduction

If you are healthy, mentally stable, realistic about the limitations of breast reduction, and suffering discomfort or health problems as a result of oversized breasts, you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Breast reduction is not recommended for:

• Women who intend to breastfeed in the future
• Unlike breast augmentation and breast lift, breast reduction surgery removes many of the breasts’ milk ducts, affecting a woman’s ability to breastfeed.

• Women who do not have fully developed breasts
• However, breast reduction can be performed on girls experiencing extreme physical discomfort shortly before their breasts are fully developed.

How is breast reduction surgery performed?

Breast reduction is usually performed through an anchor-shaped incision that surrounds the areola, extends downward to the breast crease, and follows the natural horizontal breast crease. The surgeon removes excess fat, skin, and breast tissue, sometimes using liposuction to aid in fat removal. In rare cases, breast reduction can be performed using liposuction only. In this case, no significant incisions will be needed.

Next, the nipple and areola are lifted and sewn into place, usually without needing to detach them from their blood supply and the underlying tissue. After the appropriate amount of skin is removed, the sides of the incision are drawn together to create the new breast contour and lending the breast a lift.

In the majority of cases, breast reduction is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery is often performed as an outpatient procedure with patients going home the same day, though sometimes patients will be admitted to the hospital for a short time.

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Things to Consider Before Undergoing Breast Reduction

Those considering breast reduction surgery should be aware of the following:

Symmetry

Breast reduction surgery can lead to mismatched breasts or uneven nipples. While additional surgery can address these problems, these factors can still diminish your satisfaction with the surgery. In addition, if your breasts were not symmetrical before surgery, it is unlikely they will be symmetrical afterwards.

Breast reduction surgery can diminish or eliminate the ability to breastfeed

For this reason, women who plan to breastfeed in the future are advised to postpone breast reduction surgery.

Financial responsibilities

Breast reduction is usually covered by health insurance, as it is a surgery that addresses serious health issues as well as cosmetic concerns. However, you should check with your health care provider to learn about the extent of your coverage.

Breast reduction surgery brings on swift and significant improvements in body image

The changes made during breast reduction surgery can dramatically affect your lifestyle, self-esteem, and overall level of comfort. While this shift may take a period of adjustment, these changes are positive, and breast reduction surgery has an extremely high satisfaction rate.

Scarring

Scars left by breast reduction surgery can be extensive and permanent. Even with optimal healing, scars will be visible, though they will fade over time and are located in places that will allow you to wear swim suits, low-cut tops, and similar clothing with confidence.

The waiting period for results

It will take six months to a year for the breasts to settle into their final shape after breast reduction surgery.

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Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction at our Modesto area practice is a safe surgery, but complications can always occur and are impossible to predict. We urge you to become aware of potential complications before deciding whether breast reduction is right for you.

Loss of sensation

While some temporary loss of sensation following breast reduction is to be expected, sometimes this numbness will be permanent.

Bleeding and infection

These are universal surgical risks. Infection can usually be treated with antibiotics; a bleeding episode during or after surgery might require a hospital stay.

Reaction to anesthesia

Patients can react, sometimes fatally, to the anesthesia used during surgery.

Poor healing/wide scars

While abstaining from smoking aids healing, the risk of poor healing or obvious scars is always a risk. Breast reduction surgery will leave scars, though these will fade over time.

Mismatched breasts/uneven nipples

These complications can usually be treated with additional surgery, but they will probably decrease your satisfaction with your surgical results.

Liposuction-related complications

If liposuction is used during breast reduction, or if the surgery is performed solely through liposuction, another set of possible complications are introduced. One of these is a permanent change in your skin’s pigmentation.

Complete Pre- and Post-operative Instructions for Breast Reduction Patients

Breast reduction surgery can be simplified if you follow all pre- and post-operative instructions. Dr. Perry has prepared this comprehensive guide as a helpful service to our patients. We ask that you review the instructions before surgery, and print them out so that you can bring them with you on your surgery day.

Breast reduction instructions (printer-friendly)

Breast Reduction at Chrysalis Cosmetics

Breast reduction at our Sacramento practice near Modesto can improve your body image and give you the freedom to partake in all the activities you enjoy. To learn more about the breast reduction procedure, or to schedule a consultation, please contact our cosmetic surgery practice today.

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Male Breast Reduction Surgery

About half of males suffer from breast enlargement (gynecomastia), which can be caused by many factors and is not fully understood. The male breast reduction procedure offered at our Sacramento practice near the Modesto area can give your chest a flatter, firmer, more masculine contour by removing excess skin, fat, and glandular tissue from the breasts. In some cases, liposuction is used to remove fatty deposits from the chest.

Candidates for Male Breast Reduction

Healthy, mentally stable men of any age can undergo male breast reduction. You must also be a healthy weight to be a good candidate for this procedure. Ideally, you should also have firm, elastic skin that will conform to your new contours after surgery.

Male breast reduction is not recommended for:

• Men who use certain drugs

Men who smoke marijuana, use anabolic steroids, or use any other drug that may cause of breast enlargement are not good candidates for male breast reduction because continued use of these drugs can negate the results achieve with surgery.

• Men who drink alcohol in excessive amounts
• Overweight or obese men

In these cases, your breast reduction may be best achieved through weight loss.

How is a male breast reduction performed?

Male breast reduction is performed through tiny, inconspicuous incisions hidden within the armpit or along the side of the areola. During male breast reduction, Dr. Perry will remove skin, fat, excess glandular tissue, or a combination, depending on the cause of the enlargement. The surgeon may use liposuction to remove fat, in which case a cannula (metal tube connected to a vacuum source) will be utilized to break up fatty deposits beneath the skin and remove them with suction.

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Things to Consider Before Undergoing Male Breast Reduction

Patients thinking of undergoing a male breast reduction at our practice near Modesto should consider the following:

Insurance coverage

Male breast reduction may be covered by health insurance. However, policies vary greatly in this area, so check with your insurance provider. If your health insurance does not cover the surgery, you will be responsible for all surgical fees.

Results of breast reduction

The results of male breast reduction are significant and permanent.

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Risks of Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Complications after male breast reduction surgery are rare, but it’s best to be aware of them so you can make an informed decision about whether breast reduction is right for you. Further risks of the surgery will be discussed with Dr. Perry.

Numbness

Some numbness after male breast reduction is quite common, as it is following breast augmentation and breast lift. However, in rare cases this loss of sensation lasts for months or even permanently.

Infection

The development of an infection may require antibiotics to treat, and could require a return to the hospital.

Fluid accumulation

To avoid this, the surgeon may place a temporary drain to let fluid out of the area. However, fluid accumulation may require a visit to the hospital for additional treatment.

Rippling or bagginess of the skin

This risk increases according to how much tissue is removed and decreases with the firmness and elasticity of your skin.

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Asymmetry

As breasts are generally asymmetrical before surgery, it is unlikely that they will be symmetrical afterwards.

Excessive scarring

Scarring becomes an increasingly likely possibility as larger amounts of tissue are removed.

Changes in skin pigmentation

This is especially a risk if liposuction is used during the procedure to remove excess fat. If liposuction will be used during the procedure, you may want to read more about the risks of liposuction.

Reaction to anesthesia or surgical materials

Anesthesia used during any surgical procedure can set off reactions, which can cause injury or even death. Moreover, surgical materials such as sutures, topical preparations, and drugs can cause allergic reactions, though these are usually localized and therefore minor.

Complete Pre- and Post-operative Instructions for Male Breast Reduction Patients

Closely following Dr. Perry’s instructions before and after male breast reduction surgery can help you have a positive experience and a problem-free healing period. We recommend that you review the instructions before surgery and then, print them out and bring them with you on your surgery day.

Male breast reduction instructions (printer-friendly)

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Breast Procedures at Chrysalis Cosmetics

While this page provides an introduction to breast reshaping procedures, nothing can replace an individualized consultations and exam at our office. To schedule a consultation or to learn more about breast augmentation, reduction, breast lift, or male breast reduction at our Sacramento practice serving patients from Modesto, Stockton, and surrounding areas, please contact us today.

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To learn more about breast procedures, including augmentation, reduction, or breast lift, contact our Sacramento practice today. We serve patients from Modesto, Stockton, and other surrounding cities.

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