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.

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The Breast Augmentation Surgery Analyzed

Dr. Gary Motykie is an experienced plastic surgeon providing innovative and advanced cosmetic surgery treatments for patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and surrounding communities. He is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is the recipient of the Physician’s Recognition Award 2009 from the American Medical Association.

Dr. Motykie has also been included in the list of “America’s Top Plastic Surgeons” for the last 7 consecutive years from 2006 to 2013 by the Consumer Research Council of America. He is an experienced cosmetic surgeon in LA for procedures of the body, breast and face, such as tummy tuck, breast implants, and facelift.

See Dr. Motykie’s Before and After Breast Augmentation Gallery Pictures

 

The Breast Augmentation Surgery AnalyzedWhat is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation is an effective way to enhance breast size in case a woman is unhappy with the size of her breasts. Smaller breasts may occur due to genetic factors, or in some cases a woman may lose breast volume following a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or major weight loss. In all such cases, placement of artificial implants underneath the breast tissue can enhance the size of breasts as desired.

How is it performed?

Breast implant procedure is performed usually under general anesthesia. The procedure begins with the surgeon making an incision at a pre-determined location, which could be the breast fold, the belly button, the armpit, or the areola. Through the incision, the surgeon will place the silicone or saline breast implant. The placement can be done under the chest muscle or below the breast tissue.

The choice of implant, the location of the incision and the placement of implant will be decided prior to the surgery during a consultation between the patient and the surgeon. A surgeon who is experienced in breast implant plastic surgery will be able to create the most appropriate treatment plan to match the needs of the patient.

Implant Types

FDA has approved two types of breast implants, which include silicone gel based implants and saline solution based implants. The outer shell for both types of implants is made of silicone elastomer, which is a highly biocompatible material. Choice between silicone and saline implants can be made by the patient.

A surgeon will usually be able to provide both saline and silicone implant options. However, some surgeons may have a preference for either silicone or saline implants, based on their personal experience. In reality, both silicone and saline implants have their own perceived advantages and disadvantages. Both implant types are accepted widely among breast augmentation patients.

Pre-op Consultation

The patient should be candid during pre-op consultations and explain her needs and aspirations about breast implants to the surgeon very clearly. This will help the plastic surgeon to recommend the most appropriate implant type and size. The surgeon will also evaluate the patient’s medical condition, family history, and anatomical features to give appropriate advice.

Discreet photographs will be taken during the pre-op visit to maintain a medical record, and will also be helpful at the time of surgery. The pre-op breast exam will include evaluation of the nipple position and breast mound, shape of the chest wall and assessment of any breast disproportion.

Breast Implant Placement

The breast implant pocket can be placed in three ways:

  • Above the chest muscle and below the breast mound
  • Below the chest muscle
  • Partly below the chest muscle and partly below the breast mound

Different surgeons may have different opinions regarding the ideal placement of implant pocket. However, any preference among these methods has not been determined scientifically till date. In some cases, the patient’s breast anatomy may prompt the cosmetic surgeon to decide on a particular placement method.

Incision Sites

Location of the incision for breast enhancement plastic surgery may be chose by the surgeons as per their expertise and past experience with a particular implant placement approach. The incision is usually about an inch in length, but it may be slightly longer in case of silicone implants. Common locations for the incision include the following:

  •       Under the armpit
  •       Below the areola
  •       Within the breast fold
  •       Through the belly button

In each of these cases, the goal is to place the implants with minimum difficulty and achieving inconspicuous scarring.

Procedure

Once the incision has been made in the pre-decided location, a breast pocket is created in the targeted position. This is followed by the insertion of an implant sizer in the pocket, which is positioned behind the nipple. The goal is to minimize the tissue invasion so that the patient has quicker recovery and low risk of complications.

When the final shape and size of the implants is determined, the sizers are removed and replaced with permanent breast implants. Once the cosmetic surgery procedure is completed, the incisions will be closed, and compression wraps will be placed on the breasts.

To see more services and treatments provided by Dr. Motykie and his team please visit:

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