Meet the Doctor

Deepa Bhat MD

Dr. Bhat is a plastic surgeon practicing in the Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. Her practice focuses on aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body and she is one of the few aesthetic fellowship-trained plastic surgeons in the area.

With an unwavering commitment to her patients, Dr. Bhat always puts their well-being at the forefront of her practice. Dr. Bhat’s dedication shines through in every interaction, as she takes the time to understand her patients’ unique goals, concerns, and desires. Through open and honest communication, she ensures that her patients are well-informed and empowered to make the best decisions for themselves. Dr. Bhat’s meticulous approach to surgery and attention to detail reflect her unwavering pursuit of delivering the best possible outcomes. With her expertise and genuine empathy, she creates a nurturing and supportive environment where patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their surgical journey.

Graphic - 2024 Top Docs Winner, Tampa Magazine — Dr. Deepa Bhat is a 2024 Tampa Bay Top Doc

Background & Education

Deepa Bhat, MD

Opaque close up of syringe and Dr. Bhat - Education

Dr. Bhat attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for her undergraduate studies, where she received a fully funded academic scholarship and double-majored in Spanish and Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Sciences. She went on to obtain her medical degree at Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Bhat completed her integrated plastic surgery training at Albany Medical College, where she was trained in the full breadth of both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. She also completed a one-year research fellowship at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in the tissue-engineering lab working on a novel nanofiber-hydrogel compound to improve outcomes in fat grafting. After residency, Dr. Bhat elected to pursue additional training in aesthetic surgery.

Dr. Bhat has over fifteen peer-reviewed publications and has authored a book chapter in plastic surgery’s premier textbook: Grabb & Smith. She has also given multiple podium presentations at national meetings including at The Aesthetic Society as well as the American Society for Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Bhat, her husband, and mini-goldendoodle, Theo, live in Tampa and love exploring everything Tampa Bay has to offer. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising, traveling, and volunteering.

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Fellowship-Training

Dr. Bhat completed a one-year specialized aesthetic surgery fellowship with world-renowned plastic surgeons including Drs. Heather Furnas, Francisco Canales, Eric Culbertson, Dino Elyassnia, and David Sieber. During her fellowship year, she focused on exclusively aesthetic plastic surgery procedures, and she was trained on the full breadth of face, breast, body, and genital rejuvenation. This year afforded her the opportunity to learn cutting-edge techniques including complex revision breast surgery techniques, high-definition liposuction, ultra-sound guided rectus abdominis fat transfer (UGRAFT), deep plane facelifts, and deep plane necklifts. Dr. Bhat also had her own injectables clinic, where she performed neuromodulators and dermal filler injections on patients.

Education
Residency Training
Fellowships
Awards/Scholarships
Academic Publications
Book Chapters
Presentations

Rush Medical College: Chicago, IL
2011 – 2015
Doctor of Medicine

University of Michigan: Ann Arbor, MI
2007 – 2011
B.S. Brain, Behavior, and Cognitive Science, B.S. Spanish
Graduated with University Honors

Albany Medical Center: Albany, NY
2018-2022
Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency [PGY3- PGY6]
Board Eligible

University of Illinois: Metropolitan Group Hospitals- Chicago, IL
2015- 2017
Categorical General Surgery [PGY1 & 2]

Northern California Aesthetic Fellowship
2022-2023
Program Director: Dr. Francisco Canales
Faculty: Dr. Francisco Canales, Dr. Heather Furnas, Dr. Dino Elyassnia, Dr. David Sieber
One year fellowship encompassing the breadth of aesthetic surgery including face, breast, and body

Johns Hopkins University: Baltimore, MD
2017 – 2018
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
PI: Dr. Justin Sacks MD MBA, Dr. Hai-Quan Mao PhD
One-year research fellowship focused on both clinical and translational tissue-engineering research involving application of a novel nanofiber-hydrogel composite for soft tissue regeneration & fat grafting

AMC Plastic Surgery Residency Citizenship Award
June 2021
Awarded for exemplary dedication to the members of the residency program and its betterment

ASERF Travel Scholarship
May 2021
Awarded scholarship to attend the Aesthetic Society Meeting in Miami, Fl

ACS Clinical Congress 2018: e-Posters of Exceptional Merit
October 2018
Awarded for research presentation entitled “A Novel Nanofiber-Hydrogel Composite to Improve Fat Grafting Outcomes”
Only 8 of 500 presentations selected for this award

UIC-MGH: Metro 90 Award
June 2016
Awarded for achieving above 90th percentile on the American Board of Surgery In-Training Exam (ABSITE)

University of Michigan: University Honors
2007-2011
Awarded to students earning a 3.5 grade point average over each grade term; was awarded every term x4 years

Rush Medical College Scholarship
2011-2015
Partial academic scholarship award for all four years of attendance

University of Michigan Scholarship
2007-2011
Fully funded academic scholarship for all four years of attendance

Zahedi S, Bhat D, Pedreira R, Canales FL, Furnas HJ. Algorithm for Trim and Wedge Labiaplasties. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Published online February 16, 2023.

Bhat D, Kollu T, Ricci A, Patel A. How Do You Like Me Now? The Influence of “Likes” and Followers on Social Media in Plastic Surgery. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal. April 2022.

Bhat D, Kollu T, Giutashvili T, Patel A, Ricci JA. Does Surgeon Training Affect Patient Perception of Surgeon Skill in DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction? J Reconstr Microsurg. 2022 Jun;38(5):361-370. Epub 2021 Aug 28.

Bhat D, Kollu T, Ricci A, Patel A. What’s in a Name? Implicit Bias Affects Patient Perception of Surgeon Skill. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal. June 2021. PMID: 34019503

Heiman AJ, Camargo L, Bhat D, Desai V, Patel A, Ricci JA. Curtailing Unnecessary Waste Among Operating Room Personnel: Evaluating the Cost Awareness of Commonly Used Surgical Items. The American Surgeon. Published online February 17, 2021.

Talwar AA, Bhat D, Heiman AJ, Ricci JA. Outcomes of Immediate Titanium Cranioplasty Following Post-Craniotomy Infection. J Craniofac Surg. 2020 Apr 16.

Seu M, Bhat D, Wong A, et al. The Effect of Padded Adhesive Dressing and Static Body Position on Sacral Interface Pressure. Journal of Patient Safety. 2020;17(8):e1851-e1854.

Seu M, Cho BH, Pedreira R, Bhat D, Sioto C, Sacks JM. Trends and Perceptions of Electronic Health Record Usage among Plastic Surgeons. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2020;8(4):e2709.

Fadavi D, Haley A, Khavanin N, Kraenzlin F, Bos TJ, Cho BH, Carl HM, Bhat D, Ostrander BT, Manahan MA, Rosson GD, Sacks JM. Postoperative Free Flap Breast Protocol Optimizing Resources and Patient Safety.
Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery. Feb 2020.

Bridgham K, El Abiad JM, Lu ZA, Bhat D, Morris CD, Levin AS, Sacks JM. Outcomes of Lower Extremity Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Reconstruction: A 20-Year Experience. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2018;227(4):S209.

Quiroga L, Asif M, Lagziel T, Bhat D, Caffrey J. E-Cigarette Battery Explosions: Review of the Acute Management of the Burns and the Impact on Our Population. Cureus. 2019 Aug 9;11(8):e5355.

Bhat, D, Darrach H, Sacks JM. Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction. Current Breast Cancer Reports, vol. 10, no. 2, 2018, pp. 48–54.

Pedreira R, Siotos C, Cho B, Seal S, Bhat D, Carl H, Seu M, Wolinsky JP, Sacks JM. Vascularized Bone Grafting for Reconstruction of Oncologic Defects in the Spine: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of the Literature. Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery. 2018;34(09):708-718.

Bhat, D, Asif M, Cooney CM, Schwartz D, Milner SM, Caffrey JA. Amyloidosis associated with skin popping: a case report and review of literature. International Journal of Dermatology. 2018;57(12):1504-1508.

Bhat, D, Wear V, Weisenberg E, Alvarado R. Desmoid-type Fibromatosis of the Breast: A Case Report. Breast Disease 36.4 (2016): 149-52.

Bhat, D, Hufford T, Peckler S. Left Internal Mammary Artery Aneurysm Presenting as a Pulsatile Breast Mass: A Case Report. Breast Disease 36.4 (2016): 153-55.

Raman, J, Bhat D, Torabi A, Trohman R. Removal of Retained Pacing Leads With Vena Caval Inflow Occlusion When Cardiopulmonary Bypass Is Contraindicated. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery 100.6 (2015): 2379-380.

Bhat D, Furnas HJ. Grabb and Smith’s Plastic Surgery: CH 58: Labiaplasty and Vaginal Rejuvenation. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 9th Edition. Publication pending.

The Aesthetic Society: The Aesthetic Meeting
April 2023
Podium Presentation
Labiaplasty: Are Labial Lengths a Reliable Metric?
Deepa Bhat MD, Francisco Canales MD, Heather Furnas MD

The Aesthetic Society: The Aesthetic Meeting
April 2023
Podium Presentation
Labial Length and Patient Symptomatology: Is there a Correlation?
Deepa Bhat MD, Francisco Canales MD, Heather Furnas MD

American Association of Plastic Surgery
April 2022
Podium Presentation
Defining the Ideal Male Buttocks: A Crowdsourcing Analysis
Tejas Kollus BS, Tinatini Giutashvili MS, Craig Fournier MD, Deepa Bhat MD, Ashit Patel MBChB, FACS

American Association of Plastic Surgery
May 2021
Podium Presentation
Dedicated High-resolution Maxillo-facial Computed Tomography in Determining the Operative Management
Of Facial Trauma Patients: Is It Necessary?
Deepa Bhat MD, Ankoor Talwar BS, Vasanth Kotamarti MD, Adee Heiman MD, Ashit Patel MBChB FACS,
Joseph Ricci, MD

American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery
January 2021
Podium Presentation
Does Surgeon Training Affect Patient’s Perception of Surgeon Skill in DIEP Flap Reconstruction?
Deepa Bhat MD, Tejas Kollu BS, Ashit Patel MBChB FACS, Joseph Ricci, MD

Academic Surgical Congress: 15th Annual Meeting
February 2020
Podium Presentation
Meta-Analysis of the Complications of Immediate Vs. Delayed Cranioplasty Following Craniotomy
Deepa Bhat MD, Adee J. Heiman MD, Ankoor A. Talwar BS, MBA, Makai Dunne BS, Kritika Amanjee BS, Joseph Ricci MD

Academic Surgical Congress: 15th Annual Meeting
February 2020
Podium Presentation
Meta-Analysis of the Complications of Immediate Vs. Delayed Cranioplasty Following Craniotomy
Ankoor Talwar BS MBA, Deepa Bhat MD, Joseph Ricci MD.

American Society of Plastic Surgery: Plastic Surgery The Meeting
September 2019
Podium Presentation
Meta-Analysis of the Complications of Immediate Vs. Delayed Cranioplasty Following Craniotomy
Ankoor Talwar BS MBA, Deepa Bhat MD, Joseph Ricci MD.

Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting: 64rd Annual Meeting
May 2019
Podium Presentation
Improved Fat Graft Retention with Nanofiber-Hydrogel Scaffold in an In-Vivo Murine Model
Deepa Bhat MD, Bart Kachniarz MD MBA, Michelle Seu B.S., Russell Martin PhD, Xiaowei Li PhD,
Brian Cho MD, Sashank Reddy MD PhD, Hai-Quan Mao PhD, Justin Sacks, MD MBA

Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting: 64rd Annual Meeting
May 2019
Podium Presentation
Minimizing Implant Infection and Capsular Contracture through the Use of Antibiotic-Eluting Nanofiber Coatings
Bart Kachniarz MD MBA, Sashank Reddy MD PhD, Russell A Martin PhD, Deepa Bhat MD, Roger Ortines BS, Lloyd S Miller MD PhD, Hai-Quan Mao PhD, Justin Sacks, MD MBA

Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting: 64rd Annual Meeting
May 2019
Podium Presentation
The Effect of Padded Adhesive Dressings and Body Position on Sacral Interface Pressure
Michelle Seu BA, Alison Wong MD MSE, Deepa Bhat MD, Mathew Nojoomi MSE, Michael Wong MD, Justinal Sacks MD MBA

Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting: 64rd Annual Meeting
May 2019
Podium Presentation
Analysis of Postoperative Reoperation Timing and Risk Factors for Post Operative Free-Flap Compromise in Head and Neck Reconstruction: A National Retrospective Cohort
Lakshmi Nair BS, Anmol Chattha MD, Deepa Bhat MD, Pablo Baltodano MD, Austin Chen, Ashar Ata MD, Richard Agag MD, Joseph Ricci MD, Ashit Patel MBChB

Albany Medical College: Resident Research Day
April 2019
Podium Presentation
Access to Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction in Upstate New York: Do Women Really Have a Choice?
Deepa Bhat MD, Kritika Amanjee BS, Makai Dunne BS, Ankoor Talwar BS, Joseph Ricci MD

New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgery: Resident’s Night Symposium
March 2019
Poster Presentation
Access to Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction in Upstate New York: Do Women Really Have a Choice?
Deepa Bhat MD, Kritika Amanjee BS, Makai Dunne BS, Ankoor Talwar BS, Joseph Ricci MD

American College of Surgery: Clinical Congress 2018
October 2018
Poster Presentation
A Novel Nanofiber-Hydrogel Composite to Improve Fat Grafting Outcomes
Deepa Bhat MD, Bart Kachniarz MD MBA, Michelle Seu B.S., Russell Martin PhD, Xiaowei Li PhD,
Brian Cho MD, Sashank Reddy MD PhD, Hai-Quan Mao PhD, Justin Sacks, MD MBA

American College of Surgery: Clinical Congress 2018
October 2018
Podium Presentation
Outcomes of Lower Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma Reconstruction: A 20-Year Experience
Kelly Bridgham,BS, Jad El Abiad, MD, Zhen A Lu, BS, Deepa Bhat, MD, Carol Morris, MD, Adam Levin, MD, Justin M Sacks, MD MBA

American Society of Plastic Surgery: Plastic Surgery The Meeting
October 2018
Podium Presentation
A Novel Nanofiber-Hydrogel Tissue Scaffold for Improved Fat Graft Survival
Deepa Bhat MD, Bart Kachniarz MD MBA, Michelle Seu B.S., Russell Martin PhD, Xiaowei Li PhD,
Brian Cho MD, Sashank Reddy MD PhD, Hai-Quan Mao PhD, Justin Sacks, MD MBA

American Society of Plastic Surgery: Plastic Surgery The Meeting
October 2018
Podium Presentation
Minimizing Implant Infection and Capsular Contracture Through the Use of Antibiotic-Eluting Nanofiber-Hydrogel Composite
Bart Kachniarz, MD MBA; Deepa Bhat, MD; Sashank Reddy, MD PhD; Roger Ortines, BS; Russell A. Martin, PhD; Lloyd S. Miller, MD PhD; Hai-Quan Mao, PhD; Justin M. Sacks, MD MBA, FACS

American Society of Plastic Surgery: Plastic Surgery The Meeting
October 2018
Podium Presentation
Outcomes of Reconstructive Limb-Salvage Surgery in Lower Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A 20-Year Experience
Kelly Bridgham,BS, Jad El Abiad, MD, Zhen A Lu, BS, Deepa Bhat, MD, Carol Morris, MD, Adam Levin, MD, Justin M Sacks, MD MBA

Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
June 2018
Podium Presentation
The effect of padded adhesive dressings and body position on sacral interface pressure
Alison Wong, M Seu, D Bhat, M Nojoomi, M Wong, J Sacks

Johns Hopkins University Medical Center: Resident Research Day
June 2018
Podium Presentation
Improved Fat Grafting Outcomes with a novel Nanofiber-Hydrogel Tissue Scaffold
Deepa Bhat, MD, Bart Kachniarz, MD, MBA, Michelle Seu B.S., Xiaowei Li, PhD, Russell Martin, PhD, Brian Cho, MD, Sashank Reddy MD, PhD, Justin M. Sacks MD, MBA, Hai-Quan Mao, PhD

Johns Hopkins University Medical Center: Resident Research Day
June 2018
Podium Presentation
Minimizing Implant Infection and Capsular Contracture Through the Use of Antibiotic-Eluting Nanofiber-Hydrogel Composite
Bart Kachniarz, MD MBA; Deepa Bhat, MD; Sashank Reddy, MD PhD; Roger Ortines, BS; Russell A. Martin, PhD; Lloyd S. Miller, MD PhD; Hai-Quan Mao, PhD; Justin M. Sacks, MD MBA, FACS

Johns Hopkins University Medical Center: Resident Research Day
June 2018
Podium Presentation
Intraoperative Vasopressor Use in Lower Extremity Free Tissue Transfers and Literature Review
Zhen A. Lu BS, Kelly Bridgham BS, Rachel Pedreira BA, Leila Musavi BA, Deepa Bhat MD, Michelle Seu BA, Justin M. Sacks MD MBA

Johns Hopkins University Medical Center: Resident Research Day
June 2018
Podium Presentation
E-cigarette Battery Explosion: A Review of Six Cases
Luis Quiroga, MD, Mohammed Asif, MD, Deepa Bhat, MD, Julie Caffrey, DO MS.

Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting: 63rd Annual Meetiing
May 2018
Poster Presentation
Optimization of a Nanofiber-Hydrogel Composite for Improved Fat Graft Survival
Deepa Bhat MD, Bart Kachniarz MD MBA, Michelle Seu B.S., Russell Martin PhD, Xiaowei Li PhD,
Brian Cho MD, Sashank Reddy MD PhD, Hai-Quan Mao PhD, Justin Sacks, MD MBA

Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting: 63rd Annual Meeting
May 2018
Podium Presentation
Immediate Breast Reconstruction in Alberta: a Canadian Perspective.
Stone JP, Sarmiento S, Bu J, Bhat D, Shack L, Huang L, Temple-Oberle C.

Plastic Surgery Research Council Meeting: 63rd Annual Meeting
May 2018
Podium Presentation
Post-Operative Protocol for Autologous Free Flap Breast Reconstruction Optimizing Resources and Patient Safety
Allison Haley, B.S., Tobias J. Bos, B.Sc., Brian H. Cho, M.D., Deepa Bhat, M.D., Hannah M. Carl, B.S., Benjamin Ostrander, B.S., Michele A. Manahan, M.D., Gedge D. Rosson, M.D., Justin M. Sacks, M.D., M.B.A.

American Burn Association: 50th Annual Meeting
April 2018
Poster Presentation
E-Cigarette Battery Explosion: A Review of Six Cases
Luis Quiroga, MD, Mohammed Asif, MD, Deepa Bhat, MD, Julie Caffrey, DO

Western Surgical Association
November 2017
Podium Presentation
A Comprehensive Multi-disciplinary Approach to Improve Surgical Outcomes Following Elective Colon and Rectal Surgery
Deepa Bhat MD, Tripurari Mishra MD, Ana Bedon RN, Jan P. Kaminski MBA MD, Joaquin J. Estrada MD

American College of Surgeons: Clinical Congress 2017
October 2017
Podium Presentation
A Significant Decrease in the Rate of Surgical Site Infection Following Implementation of a Comprehensive Colorectal Surgery Treatment Algorithm
Tripurari Mishra MD, Deepa Bhat MD, Ana Bedon RN, Jan P. Kaminski MBA MD, Joaquin J. Estrada MD

American College of Surgeons: 2017 Quality and Safety Conference
July 2017
Poster Presentation
A Dramatic Decrease in the Length of Stay Following Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery Pathway Following Elective Colorectal Surgery
Deepa Bhat MD, Tripurari Mishra MD, Ana Bedon RN, Jan P. Kaminski MD MBA, Joaquin J. Estrada MD

American College of Surgeons: 2017 Quality and Safety Conference
July 2017
Podium Presentation
A Significant Decrease in the Rate of Surgical Site Infection Following Implementation of a Comprehensive Colorectal Surgery Treatment Algorithm
Tripurari Mishra MD, Deepa Bhat MD, Ana Bedon RN, Jan P. Kaminski MBA MD, Joaquin J. Estrada MD

American College of Surgeons: Illinois Chapter; 67th Annual Meeting
May 2017
Podium Presentation
Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery Pathway Following Elective Colon and Rectal Surgery – A Pilot
Study
Deepa Bhat MD, Tripurari Mishra MD, Ana Bedon RN, Jan P. Kaminski MD MBA, Joaquin J. Estrada MD

American College of Surgeons: Illinois Chapter; 67th Annual Meeting
May 2017
Podium Presentation
A Comprehensive Multi-disciplinary Approach to Improve Surgical Outcomes Following Elective Colon and Rectal Surgery
Tripurari Mishra MD, Deepa Bhat MD, Ana Bedon RN, Jan P. Kaminski MBA MD, Joaquin J. Estrada MD

Chicago Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons: Resident Research Paper Competition
April 2017
Podium Presentation
A Comprehensive Multi-disciplinary Approach to Improve Surgical Outcomes Following Elective Colon and Rectal Surgery
Deepa Bhat MD, Tripurari Mishra MD, Ana Bedon RN, Jan P. Kaminski MBA MD, Joaquin J. Estrada MD

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center: Advocate Research and Innovation Forum
October 2016
Poster Presentation
Necrotizing Pancreatitis and Gas Forming Organisms
TJ Hufford MD, Deepa Bhat MD, Terrence Lerner MD

American Society of Plastic Surgery: Plastic Surgery The Meeting
September 2016
Podium Presentation
Efficacy of Laser and Light Therapy for the Treatment of Non-Atrophic Scars: A Systematic Review and Meta-
Analysis
Amanda Maisel B.S., Kirsten Lepps B.S., Sedona Speedy MD, Deepa Bhat MD, Robert Galiano MD

Northwestern University: Lewis Landsberg Research Symposium
April 2016
Poster Presentation
Satisfaction and Quality of Life in Patients Affected by Skin Scars: A Qualitative Assessment.
Amanda Maisel B.S., Deepa Bhat MD, Robert Galiano MD

Rush University Medical Center: Department of Psychiatry
April 2014
Grand Rounds Presentation
Various modalities available for the alcoholic patient seeking rehabilitation

“My goal is always to enhance and restore what
is already beautiful - you.”

I had my very first Botox and lip filler done by Dr. Deepa Bhat. She is very caring and is the sweetest. She made the process seamless and painless! I had no anxiety over what I’m going to look like after because I knew I was in great hands of an aesthetic plastic surgeon. I LOVE the natural results! I look more youthful and refreshed. I highly recommend her!

- Angela

Dr. Bhat is an amazing surgeon (and person)! I had an extended tummy tuck and lipo 360 and I have never been happier with the way I look. I healed without issue, my scar looks fantastic and most importantly, Dr. Bhat was there for me every step of the way. I would recommend Dr. Bhat to anybody looking to gain self confidence through surgery.

- Rachel

I had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Bhat for lip filler and botox and it was a wonderful experience. She walked in the room with a warm smile and instantly put me at ease. She was very attentive and I felt that she really listened to my goals and desired outcome. She was gentle and meticulous and my lips turned out absolutely beautiful! My botox was placed perfectly as well. She made the experience easy and enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone and will be going to see her for my future cosmetic needs!

- Amanda

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Patient Resources

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