Notice of Data Incident

August 1, 2023

Dear Patients:
We post this Notice pursuant to the United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) to inform you about a data incident involving an unauthorized release of patient Protected Health Information (“PHI”), as that is defined by HIPAA, at Gary Motykie, M.D., a Medical Corporation and Gary Motykie, M.D. (“Practice”), a covered entity under HIPAA.

PHI, as defined by HIPAA, is information that is “created, received, maintained, or transmitted by or on behalf of the health care component of the Covered Entity.” § 164.105 (a)(2)(i)(D). Information that is created or received by a Covered Entity and that relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual; or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of healthcare to an individual is considered PHI. PHI is required to be protected when transmitted or maintained in any form by a Covered Entity. Individual identifiers (including but not limited to name, address, telephone number, fax, email address, social security number, medical record number, etc.) maintained in a designated record set along with health information (including but not limited to x-rays, images, scans, physician notes, diagnoses, treatment, eligibility approvals, claims, remittances, etc.) are collectively considered PHI.

Event Description:
On or about June 6, 2023, an initial technical analysis of the Practice’s information technology network determined an unauthorized release of PHI occurred to an unknown third party. The initial analysis determined that the unknown third party accessed the Practice’s network. It was further determined that the unknown third party acquired some of the Practice’s patient’s unencrypted PHI and that party was not authorized to do so and did so in an unlawful manner.

The information that may have been accessed or acquired during this unauthorized access included:

First and last name 
Social Security Number (if provided)
Address
Driver’s license or identification card number
Financial account or payment card number, in combination with any required CVV code
Intake forms, which may include medical information and history
Images taken in connection with the services rendered at our office
Health insurance information (if provided)

Steps Taken to Address:
Upon discovery, the Practice took the following immediate steps to address the situation:

Computers and servers replaced
Network passwords changed
Endpoint detection, virus, and malware detection tools and software installed on workstations and server
Limitations concerning Internet access
Access controls put in place for users based on role and responsibility
Server policies in place
Device locking mechanisms
Multi factor authentication enabled
Network segregation efforts
Encryption of devices
Additional workforce training

Risk Assessment:

The Practice conducted a risk assessment to evaluate the potential harm to potentially impacted individuals. Based on that assessment, it is determined that there is a high risk of harm. It is essential for potentially impacted individuals to remain vigilant in monitoring their personal accounts and data and promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement or their financial institutions.

Assistance and Resources:
Starting on or about June 22, 2023, letters were mailed to patients providing the following resources to assist the potentially impacted individuals, offering at no cost:

two (2) years of no cost Triple Bureau Credit Monitoring/Triple Bureau Credit Report/Triple Bureau Credit Score/Cyber Monitoring services.
the services also include reviewing whether Information appears on the dark web and alert the individual if such Information is found online.
proactive fraud assistance to help with any questions in event a potentially impacted persons becomes a victim of fraud.

Steps to Prevent Future Incidents: We deeply regret any inconvenience or concern this Incident may cause. The Practice is taking numerous steps to help prevent similar Incidents in the future. We will continue to review and enhance our security measures, policies, and employee training.

If you failed to receive your letter in the mail, and/or if there is a concern your mailing address has changed since you were a patient at the Practice, please contact 1-800-405-6108 or call our office immediately at 310-246-2355 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific time, Monday through Friday.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Plastic Surgery Before and After Photos

Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery Before and After Photos | Beverly Hills Abdominoplasty, commonly known as tummy tuck, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to restore a tighter, firmer abdomen by removing excess skin and repositioning loose abdominal muscles. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss all aspects of tummy tuck, and may also present tummy tuck before and after photographs before the patient.

The surgeon’s first priority will be to ensure that the patient fully understands the potential effectiveness of tummy tuck and makes a well-considered decision. Dr. Gary Motykie is an experienced cosmetic surgeon providing tummy tuck to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

What are Tummy Tuck Before and After Pictures?

Before and after pictures in case of tummy tuck plastic surgery refer to a pair or group of images pertaining to an earlier patient who has undergone the same surgery with a successful outcome. The images include pictures taken before the surgery and after the surgery at a stage when the post-operative swelling and bruising has been resolved and full effects of tummy tuck are established.

The surgeon will take care to ensure that the photographs are obtained with the patient’s prior consent, and shown to new patients in a discreet manner. The patient’s identity may be kept confidential as required. The surgeon’s goal in this exercise is to educate new patients about various aspects of tummy tuck surgery and enable them to make an informed choice.

Website photos will be mentioned again in this page but what should be pointed out is the advent of digital technology. Digital technology has enabled people to see things quickly and sharply and for a nominal price. There is not one industry in the world that has not been affected by digital technology and the plastic surgery community has jumped on this development along time ago.

Now patients can see in vivid detail what a tummy truck procedure will look on them from the tranquility of their own home. They do not have to rely on picture books, long explanations from the surgeon, or brochures that leave so much to doubt and a large unknown. Digital pictures are a game changer and many people now know what they are signing up for.

Benefits

Tummy tuck is a major body contouring surgery procedure, and the decision to choose such a surgery is never an easy one. A new patient would like to be sure of how their abdominal profile will improve with this surgery, and whether it will meet their overall aesthetic needs and goals.

Some patients may need only a limited improvement in the lower abdomen, requiring only partial tummy tuck, while some others may need a full circumferential tummy tuck. In all such cases, the patient is better placed to make the right choices when they have access to tummy tuck before and after photos.

Having Realistic Expectations

Most satisfying results in a procedure such as tummy tuck are achieved when the patient has a positive state of mind, clear cosmetic goals, and realistic expectations. Therefore, an experienced cosmetic surgeon will usually prefer to show tummy tuck before and after photos at the very first appointment. After reviewing these photos, the patient will know what the procedure can or cannot do for them.

This mitigates the risk of any disappointment occurring for the patient at a later stage when it may be too late to reverse the corrections. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

Photos on the Web

The plastic surgeon will have the option to provide tummy tuck before and after photos in a separate Photo Gallery section on their practice website. If the surgeon is active over social media, they may also consider providing these photos via popular photo sharing social networks such as Google+, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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To see more services and treatments provided by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles and his team please visit:

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Procedure Steps

Tummy Tuck Procedure Steps | Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery | WeHo Tummy tuck is one of the popular body contouring plastic surgery procedures involving a number of steps. Depending on the tummy tuck surgery technique chosen, there may be some variation in the steps. The surgeon will educate the patient about the procedure steps and help to relieve the patient of any pre-surgery concerns and anxiety.

On their part, the patient should clarify all their doubts and concerns pertaining to tummy tuck procedure before going ahead with the surgery. A patient with proper understanding of the procedure will be more confident and will be able to make better decisions. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides tummy tuck patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Placing the Incisions

After the administering of anesthesia, the surgeon will begin tummy tuck procedure by placing incisions in inconspicuous locations as per the surgical plan. The length and number of incisions will differ according to the choice of surgical technique and the degree of correction involved. For instance, a circumferential tummy tuck plastic surgery will involve an incision around the complete waist line, including the back, while a partial abdominoplasty may only involve a small incision beneath the belly button.

Repositioning the Navel

In a full traditional tummy tuck, the surgeon may have to reposition the navel to a more natural point. The belly button may be detached and replaced in accordance with the new tummy shape. Sometimes the surgeon may decide to sculpt a new navel instead of reattaching the original one. This is an artistic step, which should only be performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon.

Tightening Abdominal Muscles

If the tummy is significantly protruding due to underlying weak or separated abdominal muscles, the surgeon may tighten them during tummy tuck surgery. The surgeon will separate the abdominal skin from the abdominal wall through the incisions, and then pull the muscles tighter together. Muscles will be stitched together to provide a more toned appearance to the abdomen. This step will make the waistline look narrower.

Removal of Loose Skin

Following the tightening of loose muscles, the abdominal skin will be pulled downward to make it appear smoother and tighter. At this point, excess skin will be trimmed away. Some patients may require liposuction at this stage to remove excess fat deposits before the skin is pulled taut. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck.

Stretch Mark Reduction

Although tummy tuck is not meant to specifically remove stretch marks, but the surgeon may be able to mitigate their appearance, depending on where the incisions are located. If the stretch marks are below the belly button, they can be removed along with the excess skin. Other stretch marks may also improve after tummy tuck surgery.

Wound Closure

Once the surgery is completed, the incisions will be closed carefully with absorbable or removable sutures. The surgeon will place temporary drain tubes under the skin in the incision areas to collect excess fluid. Drain tubes may be removed along with sutures in about a week or 10 days after a tummy tuck.

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To see more services and treatments provided by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles and his team please visit:

Tummy Tuck Recovery

Tummy Tuck Recovery | Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery | West Hollywood Tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a major plastic surgery procedure, which involves a significant recovery component. Patients should take the recovery process seriously and follow the surgeon’s post-operative care instructions thoroughly to achieve safe and optimal results. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss all aspects of tummy tuck, including recovery.

Dr. Gary Motykie is a dedicated cosmetic surgeon providing tummy tuck and other surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures. Dr. Motykie will educate the patient about tummy tuck recovery with clear information on the estimated downtime. His first concern will be to help the patient make a well-considered decision. He provides tummy tuck to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Staying Home after Surgery

The patient should be prepared to stay home for a few days after tummy tuck plastic surgery procedure and take plenty of rest. In case of a fully tummy tuck surgery, the downtime may be about one week to 10 days. In cases where abdominal muscle repositioning is not involved, the downtime will be slightly reduced.

If the patient is working, they should apply for leave from work well in advance in order to have a complete stress-free initial recovery at home. The surgeon will encourage the patient to take short walks at home during this period to maintain blood flow, stay sufficiently hydrated, take a diet rich in lean proteins, and refrain from excessive bending, lifting heavy weights or performing vigorous activities.

Early Recovery Phase

Drainage tubes will be temporarily placed under the skin in the incision areas for the first week after tummy tuck surgery. The patient should empty the drain regularly as instructed and keep a record of the amount of fluid collected. The cosmetic surgeon will also provide a compression garment, which should be worn continuously during the early recovery period.

The patient will experience mild bruising, swelling and soreness in the first few days. Pain medications prescribed by the surgeon will help to keep the patient comfortable. If the patient has little children to look after, they may consider hiring a help for a few days until the healing has improved. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

Mitigating Scar Appearance

While some amount of scarring is inevitable in any tummy tuck procedure, it is possible to minimize the appearance of scars with discreet incision placement. During recovery, the patient should protect the incision areas against sun exposure. Silicone cream or sheets or petroleum-based jelly may be applied to improve the appearance of scar tissue.

Quit Smoking

The surgeon will advise the patient to completely avoid smoking for at least two to three weeks following tummy tuck surgery. Smoking can delay the recovery by interfering with the healing process.

Risk of infections, scarring and other complications can increase if the patient continues to smoke in the weeks following tummy tuck surgery. Results will be more sustainable if the patient maintains an active and balanced lifestyle in the long run.

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To see more services and treatments provided by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles and his team please visit:

Tummy Tuck Candidates

Tummy Tuck Candidates | Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery | Los Angeles Sedentary lifestyle, heredity factors, and overweight problems may cause excess belly fat and loose skin around the midsection. The high prevalence of this condition has made tummy tuck plastic surgery a popular procedure today. The surgeon will assess a patient’s candidacy on various parameters before recommending them tummy tuck surgery.

Dr. Gary Motykie is a committed and experienced cosmetic surgeon providing various cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, including abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery. Dr. Motykie provides this procedure to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Who is most suited for Tummy Tuck?

A healthy adult who feels self-conscious about the sagging skin or folds in the abdominal area, or suffers from weak underlying abdominal muscles due to weight fluctuations, may be the most appropriate candidates for tummy tuck plastic surgery. A woman who has suffered from stretched abdominal tissue and separated abdominal muscles following a pregnancy may also restore her youthful waist appearance with tummy tuck.

Although tummy tuck is not a weight loss procedure, it can enhance abdominal contours in cases where the fat deposits have become resistant to diet and exercise. People with stubborn fat tissue in the abdominal area can often benefit from tummy tuck in conjunction with liposuction. The cosmetic surgeon will make the final decision about the patient’s suitability for this procedure.

Attributes of a Candidate

Women or men with the following attributes will typically make marvelous candidates for abdominoplasty:

Having good health and not suffering from a medical condition that could pose risk during the surgery or healing
Bothered by sagging or loose skin in the waist area
Excess fat deposits in the midsection
Keeping realistic expectations
Commitment to follow the pre- and post-surgical guidelines of the surgeon and to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle in the long run

Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck plastic surgery.

Don’ts for a Good Candidate

The candidate’s personal commitment and discipline will play an important part in the success of the procedure after the surgeon has given them the go-ahead for tummy tuck. Some of the critical “don’ts” for a stellar candidate would include:

Don’t smoke for a few weeks prior to and after tummy tuck
Don’t withhold any medical records or other personal health information from the surgeon
Don’t take prescription drugs, blood thinners, herbal meds, or vitamins without the surgeon’s approval for a few weeks before surgery
Don’t plan for a pregnancy in the near-term after tummy tuck surgery
Don’t plan for a major weight loss after tummy tuck surgery
Don’t choose tummy tuck under the influence of someone else, and only go by personal choice

Heredity

Candidates for tummy tuck are not only individuals with a sedentary lifestyle or unbalanced diet, but also people who may be fit and active, but have fat accumulation around the waist due to heredity factors. These candidates may even receive tummy tuck in their 20s or 30s due to their genetic predisposition.

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To see more services and treatments provided by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles and his team please visit: