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.

Questions to Ask Your Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgeon

Questions to Ask Your Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgeon | Beverly Hills The decision to go ahead with tummy tuck plastic surgery procedure should only be made by the patient, without the influence of anyone else. The patient should clarify all their doubts and concerns with the surgeon, and make a final choice after due deliberation.

Patients who make a well-considered decision after satisfying themselves completely will usually have a higher satisfaction in the end. A dedicated cosmetic surgeon will answer all the questions of the patient in adequate detail. Dr. Gary Motykie is a board certified plastic surgeon providing tummy tuck to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Questions about the Surgeon

Do you have a board certification in plastic surgery?
How many years of training and experience do you have in the field of plastic surgery?
Have you performed tummy tuck surgery in the past, and what is your patient satisfaction rate in this procedure?
Do you have staff privileges to operate at one of the local hospitals?
Is your practice equipped to handle any emergencies that may occur during or after the surgery?
If I am unhappy with the results of tummy tuck, would you perform a revision procedure?
Do you receive local patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas?

Questions about Tummy Tuck

Will I make a fabulous candidate for tummy tuck surgery?
Which surgical technique would you recommend in my case?
Will you perform tummy tuck using general or local anesthesia?
What will be the estimated duration of tummy tuck procedure, and will it performed as an outpatient surgery?
Are there any preparatory steps that I should take prior to the surgery?
Can I review a few tummy tuck before and after photos of your previous patients?

Questions about Recovery

How painful is going to be the tummy tuck recovery?
How much downtime will it involve?
Can I take certain measures to make the recovery easier and faster?
What are the risks and complications associated with tummy tuck?
In how many days will I be able to return to my normal routine, including physical exercises?

Questions about Costs

What is the estimated cost of tummy tuck surgery?
Does your cost estimate include pre- and post-op expenses?
Will it bring down the cost if my surgery is performed at a surgery center instead of a hospital?
Will you charge separately for post-surgical appointments?
If I combine two or more procedure, will it make me eligible for a rebate or a package price?
Can your office provide me guidance about medical insurance and financing options?

The patient should feel free to ask a question twice if they are unclear about the answer the first time. They should preferably prepare a list of questions in advance and bring it to the initial consultation. This will ensure that all important questions are answered, and the patient can make a decision with a clear and confident mind.

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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 (Abdominoplasty) Procedure Steps | Beverly Hills | Medical Spa Tummy tuck is a major body contouring plastic surgery procedure involving several key steps. Depending on the type of surgical technique and the extent of surgery involved, the steps may slightly vary. The surgeon will discuss about these steps during the pre-op consultation.

Once the patient is fully aware of what to expect during the tummy tuck procedure, it will help to reduce their pre-surgery anxiety and make them feel more confident. Dr. Gary Motykie is an experienced and proven cosmetic surgeon with board certification in plastic surgery providing tummy tuck to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Placing the Incisions

Following the administering of anesthesia, the surgeon will place incisions in inconspicuous locations in the abdominal area. The extent and shape of incisions will depend on the choice of surgical technique. A partial tummy tuck may only involve a minor incision made beneath the belly button.

On the other hand, a circumferential tummy tuck plastic surgery will usually involve an incision around the entire waist line, including the back.

Repositioning the Belly Button

In many cases, the surgeon may decide to reposition the belly button as part of tummy tuck. This can help to make the tightened and lifted abdomen appear more natural looking. The original navel may be detached and placed in a more appropriate location. In some cases, the old navel may not be reattached, but a new navel may be artificially created. This artificial sculpting should only be performed by a reliable and qualified cosmetic surgeon.

Tightening Underlying Muscles

The underlying abdominal muscles may become weak or separated. The surgeon can tighten these sagging muscles during the tummy tuck surgery. The abdominal skin will be separated from the abdominal walls through the incisions. A more toned look will be created by pulling the muscles closer together and suturing them into a firmer position. The waistline will appear narrowed with abdominal muscle tightening.

Removing Excess Skin

Once the abdominal muscles are tightened, the surgeon will pull the skin downward to make it taut and smooth. Excess skin will then be removed. Liposuction may sometimes be performed at this stage to remove excess fat tissue before the skin is pulled tight. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

Minimizing Stretch Marks

Although stretch mark removal is not one of the goals in tummy tuck surgery, but it is usually possible reduce the visibility of stretch marks, depending on the incision location. If the stretch marks are located beneath the belly button, they may be removed along with the loose skin. Even other stretch marks may sometimes become less conspicuous following tummy tuck.

Wound Closure

Following the surgery, the incisions will be closed carefully with surgical stitches. The surgeon may place temporary drain tubes under the skin at the incision site to collect excess fluid. This will mitigate the risk of infection. Drain tubes and stitches may be removed around the same time in about one week after the surgery.

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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:

Preparing for Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery

Preparing for Tummy Tuck Plastic Surgery | Beverly Hills | West Hollywood Preparation is an important aspect of any major plastic surgery procedure such as tummy tuck. Thorough preparation will create the foundation for a smoother surgical journey and minimize the risk of complications. The preparation process should also cover the post-surgical recovery phase.

Dr. Gary Motykie is an experienced cosmetic surgeon with board certification in plastic surgery. Dr. Motykie will guide and assist the patient through the preparation process for tummy tuck. He provides this procedure to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Healthy Diet

A balanced and nutritious diet is a primary part of the tummy tuck plastic surgery preparation process. Impressive nutrients will help to build a robust immune system and reduce the risk of infections during or after the procedure. The diet should be rich in lean proteins so that post-surgical healing can be faster. Fish, chicken, yogurt, eggs, and light cheese should be included in the diet to increase protein content.

Although it is important to have a diet rich in vitamins, but the intake of vitamin E should be avoided for a certain period before and after the tummy tuck surgery because it can create complications. Patients who are committed to following a balanced diet prior to the surgery will find it easier to continue with healthy eating habits even later on. This can help them to prolong the benefits of tummy tuck surgery for many years.

Maintaining Fitness

A daily fitness and exercise regimen should be started at least a few weeks before tummy tuck surgery. This will help to improve the muscle mass and support the body’s metabolic activity. Patients with marvelous or concrete fitness levels will usually have an easier and faster recovery after tummy tuck. Regular exercise will enable the patient to maintain a leaner and more efficiently functioning body.

A fit patient will gain minimal additional weight in the days and weeks following tummy tuck surgery when they are required to avoid performing any vigorous exercises. A prolific or regular fitness routine will also help to instill the long-term habit of staying fit and performing exercises, which will contribute to extended benefits after tummy tuck surgery. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck.

Things to Avoid

If the patient is a smoker, they will be required to refrain from smoking for a certain period prior to the tummy tuck surgery, and adhere to that restriction even after the surgery for a few weeks. Smoking can constrict the blood vessels, resulting in higher risk of complications and a delayed recovery.

Aspirin and other blood thinners, certain prescription medications, herbal supplements and vitamins will have to be avoided for a few weeks before tummy tuck. These medications can increase the risk of clotting as well as excessive bleeding.

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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 Risks and Safety

Tummy Tuck Risks and Safety | Plastic Surgery | Beverly Hills The tummy tuck is a major plastic surgery procedure designed to create a firmer, flatter abdominal area. As long as tummy tuck surgery is performed by a fully trained and experienced plastic surgeon, it can produce highly desirable outcomes. However, certain risks and complications are typically associated with tummy tuck, as with any other surgical procedure.

The surgeon will inform the patient about the potential risks during the pre-operative consultation. The first goal of a responsible surgeon will be to help the patient make a well-considered decision. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides tummy tuck to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Potential Complications

Poor Reaction to Anesthesia

Tummy tuck plastic surgery procedure is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia. In rare cases, a patient may have an adverse reaction to anesthesia. An experienced anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will be present in the operating room throughout the surgery to monitor the condition.

Blood Clotting

In exceptional circumstances, or in cases where the patient has a tendency of clot formation, a blood clot may occur inside a blood vessel. This can obstruct the blood flow, and in very rare cases, the clot may travel to the lungs, heart or brain, posing a serious health hazard.

Infection

The cosmetic surgeon should ensure that the tummy tuck procedure is performed at a surgical facility with a completely sterile operating environment. After the surgery, the patient should avoid any contact with dirt in the incision areas. Antibiotics may also be prescribed for a few days to minimize the risk of infection.

Slow Healing

Pain, swelling, bruising and tenderness will usually resolve in about four to six weeks following a full traditional tummy tuck surgery. However, a few patients may heal slowly and continue to experience discomfort after six weeks. Smokers should be particularly careful, and refrain from any use of tobacco for a certain period before and after the surgery to minimize the risk of delayed healing.

Unfavorable Scarring

Some amount of scarring is unavoidable in tummy tuck surgery. But a skilled surgeon can place the incisions in discreet locations to minimize scarring. However, in a few cases, the scars may be more apparent due to a variety of factors. Dedicated cosmetic surgeon Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

Safety Information

In 2010, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) conducted an extensive survey over a period of nine months, which involved 3,681 tummy tuck patients. Complications were found in 163 patients, revealing a complication rate of 4.7 percent.

Hemorrhage and infection were the most common complications, while fluid overload, hypoxia, pulmonary dysfunction, hypotension and pulmonary embolism comprised the rare complications.

Even though tummy tuck is a major surgery, it has a relatively low rate of complications compared to various other cosmetic surgery procedures. If the procedure is performed by a fully qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, the rate of complications will significantly drop further.

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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: