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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How often do you need to replace breast implants?

How often do you need to replace breast implants?Many women in the US have a misconception that they will need to replace their breast implants after every 10 years or so. This misconception might be attributed in some part to an FDA report of 2011, which noted that about 20 percent of patients who received breast augmentation cosmetic surgery would require implant replacement in about 10 years.

However, the reality is that breast implant technology and surgical techniques have vastly improved over the last one decade. And even if you presume that the figures estimated by FDA in 2011 still remain valid, four in five women would still continue to enjoy the benefits of their breast implants beyond 10 years.  

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast implant removal and replacement surgery to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

Why Implant Replacement may be Needed?

At some point during their lifetime, almost every breast augmentation patient may have to undergo breast implant removal or replacement plastic surgery. These procedures may be necessitated not always because of medical reasons, but in large part because women choose to have their implants changed or removed for cosmetic considerations.

Longevity of your original breast implant surgery would usually be higher if you have chosen good quality implants and the procedure has been performed by an experienced and highly trained breast surgeon. 

Here are some of the medical reasons why implant removal or replacement may be required: 

Implant Deflation or Rupture 

While this is a rare occurrence, particularly in the first few years after implantation, an implant revision will be required if it does happen. A puncture in the saline implant may cause the saline to get released into the body, resulting in implant deflation. Rupture or implant damage may occur in silicone implants, but it will rarely cause silicone gel leakage outside the implant shell because of the high viscosity of the gel. Implants would have to be removed or replaced anyway, even if the deflated or ruptured. 

Capsular Contracture 

When the implants are placed into the breasts at the time of original breast augmentation, the natural healing mechanism of the body will trigger the formation of scar tissue around the implant. This will create a breast capsule that envelopes the implant. In some cases, the scar tissue may harden, causing tightness or discomfort in the breast. 

In some cases, the implant may also get damaged, lose its shape, or move from its position. If capsular contracture occurs, you will have to get the implants removed or replaced.

Removal or Replacement

Breast implant replacement is usually a better option than implant removal because the procedure may be less invasive and additional surgeries may not be required. But in case of breast implant removal, an additional breast lift procedure is often required to tighten and firm up the breast tissue and restore the natural looking breast appearance. 

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for breast implant removal and replacement surgery.

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