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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What is buccal fat removal?

What is buccal fat removal?The lower part of the face contains buccal fat pads. When these fat pockets become large, they could create an appearance of “chipmunk” or chubby cheeks.

During buccal fat removal cosmetic surgery, the surgeon will eliminate the oversized buccal fat pads to create a more proportionate and sculpted facial appearance. The patient will have an enhanced lower face contour along with a more defined cheek hollow.

 

Stellar Handiwork

Patients can expect to achieve a more chiseled facial appearance, higher cheek bones and an overall look that feels as if the patient has lost weight. A skilled surgeon will be able to create subtle thinning of the cheeks, and avoid any unnatural or drastic change in one’s facial appearance.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides buccal fat removal surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding communities.

 

Consultation Process

During the consultation, the surgeon may share images of past patients who have undergone buccal fat pad removal surgery.

This will help the patient to identify the appropriate look for their facial profile. Based on the patient’s feedback, the surgeon will determine the right surgical technique to perform the fat removal procedure and achieve the desired outcome.

Patients may also carry their own choice of photos from online sources and publications, which indicate the kind of facial look they may want to have. The surgeon will be able to create a customized surgery plan after taking into account the patient’s goals, the desired images and the key anatomical features of the patient’s face.

 

Surgical Procedure

The buccal fat removal plastic surgery procedure can be completed in about half an hour. Patients should try to choose a surgeon who will perform the procedure at an AAAASF accredited surgical facility, which can ensure their safety, privacy and comfort.

The surgeon should take adequate precautions against potential risks such as deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). They should provide for anti-embolic stockings as well as compression devices (SCDs) on the patient’s lower extremities during the length of the surgery.

Buccal fat pad removal surgery may be performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The surgeon will place a tiny incision inside the patient’s mouth opposite to the upper molar teeth on both sides.

Through the incision, the surgeon will efficiently remove the buccal fat pads from inside of the mouth. This incision will then be closed securely with a single dissolvable suture.

The surgery involves no external scarring because the procedure is performed inside of the mouth. No bandages would be required after the surgery.

 

Post-operative Recovery

The recovery after a buccal lipectomy will happen quite fast, but the results are likely to be obscured for some time due to swelling and bruising after surgery. But within a week or two after the surgery, the patient will be able to notice the results.

The face may initially appear slightly “rounder” but this is just a temporary condition due to post-surgical swelling. Buccal lipectomy is largely painless, but the surgeon may prescribe pain relieving drugs for a few days to keep the patient comfortable.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for buccal fat removal surgery.

 

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What is buccal fat removal?

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