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.

Post Operative

ONE DAY AFTER SURGERY

The next morning following your surgery, you will return to Dr Motykie’s office for your first post-
operative visit. You should leave all dressings and drains intact overnight and until you reach
the office the following morning. Upon arrival to the office you will be escorted to a private
examination room where your dressings will be changed and your operative site and incision will
be evaluated. After your examination, you will be placed back into your compression garment
and you will be allowed to return to your recovery retreat or back to your home. All of your
questions will be answered and you will be given instructions for the following week that will
include the following:

ONE WEEK AFTER SURGERY

Your tummy tuck will result in a flatter, firmer abdominal contour that is more proportionate with
your body type and weight. The final results may initially be obscured by swelling and your
inability to stand fully upright until internal healing is complete. Sometime within the first week or
two after surgery you should begin standing upright and begin moving about your home without
assistance.

Some people can return to work after a week, while others take three or four weeks to rest and
recuperate. Most patients can drive their vehicles within 5-7 days after surgery, but plan on
having someone drive you to your one week post-operative visit. If you are in good physical
condition with strong abdominal muscles, recovery from abdominoplasty may be somewhat
easier and quicker for you.

ONE MONTH AFTER SURGERY

If you are still feeling a bit tired during this time don’t worry because it will take you a few
weeks or months to feel completely like yourself again.Hopefully you allowed a week or two
of recuperation time before returning to work. Depending on the amount of physical exertion
required to perform your expected duties, you should be getting back into your normal rhythm
around this time in your post-operative course. Swelling of the abdomen can last for several
months and many patients may actually increase in weight over the first month after surgery
due to swelling and retained “water weight.” Don’t worry, this weight gain and swelling is only
temporary and it will begin to drop off as the healing process progresses.

Vigorous exercise and workout routines should be avoided for at least 4-6 weeks after surgery
or until you are cleared by Dr. Motykie. Pain is your ultimate guide and any activity that is
causing discomfort and/or pain in your abdomen needs to be avoided until further along
in your recovery process. During this period, sensory changes of the abdomen are normal
and temporary. Typically the area from the belly button to the incision will have some loss of
sensitivity for several weeks following the surgery but normal sensitivity will return slowly over
time. Lastly, as sensation begins to return some patients experience an “itchy” sensation in the
abdomen. This itching is completely normal and it is often relieved with an over the counter anti-
histamine such as Benadryl or Claritin.

Many women are hesitant to have a tummy tuck because they are worried that it is a “major”
surgery that has the possibility of scarring after the surgery. There is definitely a trade-off in
order to get your pre-baby body back, but you also must remember that there are now many
treatments available to prevent, remove and camouflage scars that were not available many
years ago. Some currently available modalities that can smooth out and lighten possible scaring
include steroid injections, intense pulsed light, resurfacing lasers, lightening topical creams, scar
therapies and silicone sheeting. While the abdominal scar may not completely disappear over
time, it will continue to fade and improve as it heals and it will often take 3-12 months before the
scar looks its best.

Over the next several months many of the benefits of you abdominoplasty will begin to
materialize. You will notice you abdomen shrinking, your swelling decreasing and your weight
dropping. Although the good days are increasing in numbers expect some days of tiredness,
and recuperation as your body continues to heal from surgery. You must keep looking forward
and realize that over the next several months you will begin to be able to enjoy your new body
and its dramatic transformation from surgery.

LONG TERM RESULTS

All patients vary in their ability and speed to recover after surgery. Most commonly patients
can expect their final result to be evident around six months after surgery. Some patients
have continued improvement up to one year after surgery. Most importantly, I advise all of
my patients to plan on committing to lifestyle changes including diet and exercise programs
after their surgery. Using your abdominal contouring surgery as a springboard to a healthier
lifestyle will not only improve your results from surgery, it will also improve your overall physical,
emotional and mental well being.

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

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