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)
Beverly Hills

About Tummy Tuck

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)</br><span class="smh1">Beverly Hills</span>Although a flat, well-toned abdomen is something many of us strive for, sometimes we simply cannot achieve our goals alone. Although diet and exercise programs may help improve abdominal muscle tone and decrease overall body fat, they cannot help repair stretched abdominal skin or separated abdominal muscles that can result from pregnancy are significant weight fluctuations. The only known way to correct these sorts of problems is through an abdominoplasty procedure. An abdominoplasty (also known as a “tummy tuck”) is an abdominal contouring procedure that is performed to help patients that have developed saggy abdominal skin, stretch marks and/or an abdominal “pooch.”

It is easier to understand what an abdominoplasty can achieve if we think of the abdomen as being made up of three important and distinct layers; muscle, fat and skin. Any of these three layers can be stretched, distorted or damaged with weight gain and/or pregnancy. With moderate increase in weight gain, the abdominal skin can become stretched beyond repair. After weight loss and return of the abdomen to a more normal volume, some fat may be lost, but the resulting stretch marks and loose skin can remain permanently. With more extreme expansion of the abdomen such as can occur with pregnancy, the stomach muscles can also become “stretched” or separated resulting in a “pooch” that can distort the normal contour of the abdomen. At this point, exercise and diet cannot completely restore the normal appearance of the abdomen and surgical correction is the only way to return the abdomen to its normal aesthetic appearance. In recent years, the abdominoplasty procedure has been refined to an art form. Instead of simply removing excess fat and stretched skin, the abdomen and waist can now be contoured and sculpted with an incision hidden low enough to be undetectable in most clothing as well as allowing the creation of a belly button that appears natural and youthful. As abdominoplasty techniques continue to evolve, newer methods continue to emerge that allow for smaller incisions, faster recovery and superior results that are more consistent with modern day lifestyles and patient preferences.

Gallery It's Your Right to Feel Beautiful

Although both men and women can benefit from a tummy tuck, the effects of childbirth on a woman’s body is the most common reason for a patient to seek this type of surgery. A tummy tuck is also often combined with other body and breast contouring procedures as part of a “mommy makeover.” The ideal abdominoplasty patient is someone with no major health problems that wishes to repair stretched abdominal muscles and remove excess skin that will not return to normal without surgical intervention.Though the recovery period can be somewhat longer than that of other cosmetic procedures, the rewards are great for a patient previously distressed by a bulging abdomen containing stretch marks.

Although a tummy tuck can successfully create a more youthful and healthy looking appearance of the abdomen, it is not a substitute for weight loss or an appropriate exercise program before and after surgery. If you are more than 15% over your ideal body weight, weight loss through diet and exercise is a healthier alternative than any surgical procedure. Also, those patients who follow a proper exercise routine and healthy diet before and after surgery will benefit the most from an abdominoplasty. With a balanced diet and regular exercise, the results of an abdominoplasty can be longer-lasting and more effective. Many patients ask if they should begin diet and exercise before or after an abdominoplasty. My answer is “both.” If you begin an exercise and diet program before surgery, you will be more likely to return to that same routine after your surgery. This type of lifestyle change will only improve your overall health, your ability to heal and your final outcome from any surgical procedure.

Schedule a Consultation Contact Us

In the following pages, Dr. Motykie has provided detailed information on having an abdominoplasty procedure from the day of your consultation through having the surgery and its long term expectations. Follow the links below to learn as much as you can about having an abdominoplasty with Dr Motykie.  We hope you find the information helpful and educational. If you decide you may want to have your abdominoplasty performed by Dr. Motykie, you can follow the link at the bottom of the page at any time to schedule a consultation with Dr Motykie.

To find out more about abdominoplasty please contact us at 310-246-2355