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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Liposuction For Your Calves And Ankles

Liposuction For Your Calves And AnklesOver the last 20 years, liposuction cosmetic surgery of the lower extremities has become quite popular. Rapid advancements in body contouring surgical techniques have made it possible to achieve safe and very effective outcomes for liposuction of the calves and ankles.

 

The Problem is Manageable

When it comes to stubborn fat pockets, perhaps there is no tougher site in your body than the calves and ankles. Fat accumulation in these areas often occurs because of a patient’s genetic makeup. But thick calves and the so-called “cankles” can be successfully addressed with liposuction.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides calves and ankles liposuction to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding locations.

 

General Overview

In most cases, the calf or ankle liposuction is not performed on its own. The surgeon will usually shape the complete lower leg to create most pleasing outcomes.

For this reason, both ankle and calf liposuction surgeries are performed as a single procedure. It can ensure that the proportion of the lower legs remains well-maintained. Sometimes, the surgeon may additionally perform liposuction of the thighs and knees in order to create more natural looking lower body appearance.

While performing liposuction of the calves and ankles, the surgeon’s key consideration is to ensure that overall proportion is correct. Their purpose in performing liposuction plastic surgery is not weight loss, but to establish a patient’s natural aesthetics through removal of excess and stubborn fat.

In order to produce the best and most appealing results, the surgeon will take into account every aspect of the patient’s body.

 

Surgical Procedure

In performing ankles and calves liposuction, the surgeon will create tiny incisions in targeted sites, and then gently insert a thin cannula into the fat layer of the ankle and calf.

By carefully manipulating the cannula physically back and forth through the layer of fat tissue, while remaining parallel to the skin, the surgeon will dislodge the unwanted fat cells. These fat cells will then be sucked through the cannula and expelled from the body.

Calf liposuction surgery is performed using minimally invasive tumescent liposuction. During the entire procedure, the patient may remain conscious or mildly sedated because only local anesthesia is used. Tumescent liposuction technique helps achieve faster healing and better results than other more invasive liposuction methods.

In delivering effective liposuction of the calves, incision placement is vital. The surgeon will place the incisions directly under the knee, and towards the top of the calf. Using two different incisions placed on either side of the calf, the surgeon can address the whole calf area with gentle and smooth passes of the cannula.

The surgeon will use their artistic eye for detail and a deep understanding of the anatomy of lower extremities to mold the calf into a slimmer, more youthful shape with liposuction.

For liposuction of the ankles, the surgeon will take a similar approach. They will create small incisions on each side of the ankle, which will enable them to reach the deeper layers of unwanted fat.

 

Precision

The ankle is a very small site, and the surgeon will use their skill to ensure the cannula does not hurt or poke the skin from below (this can cause dimpling). While performing ankle liposuction surgery, the precise amount of fat is removed in order to ensure the ankle retains its unique shape.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for ankles and calves liposuction.


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Liposuction For Your Calves And Ankles

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