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 Hips And Thighs

Liposuction For Your Hips And ThighsLiposuction cosmetic surgery of the hips and outer thighs should ideally be performed together. Many patients believe that only their thighs are the problem area. However, simultaneous treatment on the hips will offer more complete cosmetic outcomes.

 

Thighs and Clothing

Inherited genetics often determine the fat on female thighs and hips. This area of fat, also known as saddlebags, is usually unresponsive to diet and exercise. It is likely the most common problem area for females. A majority of women seek liposuction on their thighs to feel more confident when wearing certain clothing such as a swimsuit or shorts.

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

 

Sites Where the Body Stores the Most Fat

The two primary areas of the body that store most body fat are the hips and thighs. These sites have a significant amount of the lipase enzyme. Due to this, the hips and thighs have a higher tendency to store fat quickly. The hips and thighs are less responsive to fat loss by diet and exercise for this reason.

 

Benefits of Hips and Thighs Liposuction

There are various benefits of hips and thighs liposuction plastic surgery, including:

  • It helps reduce the number of inflammatory cells. The probability of the development of cardiovascular disease increases in proportion to the number of inflammatory cells in the body. Liposuction can, in fact, reduce inflammatory cells by as much as 11 percent.
  • Liposuction can help reduce the levels of blood fat, called triglycerides. Higher levels of triglycerides are linked to a greater possibility of developing cardiovascular disease.
  • The procedure can remove fat in a safe manner.
  • Individuals who have received liposuction feel more confident about their appearance.
  • Liposuction contours areas of the body that are resistant to diet and exercise.

 

What does Thigh Liposuction Involve

A majority of women have fat in their inner and outer thighs. Some women store fat only on the outer edges of their thighs while others have fat bulges on the inner side.

Liposuction could help people who are unhappy with the appearance of their thighs. This procedure can eliminate excess fat and skin from the thighs.

 

What to Expect from a Hip Liposuction

The hips are one of the most difficult areas of the body for fat loss. Hip liposuction surgery can significantly help patients lose inches on this body area. One of the most successful areas of the body for liposuction is the hips.

The procedure is typically undertaken on an outpatient basis. The patient may find walking or standing for a longer duration difficult during the initial healing period, although sitting is generally comfortable.

They may also experience minor inflammation or bruising. The body may take up to three months to acclimatize to its new contours following liposuction surgery.

 

Recovery from Liposuction for Hips and Thighs

In general, liposuction patients experience inflammation, bruising, and some sensation loss in the area. However, these after-effects will resolve slowly over the next few weeks following the procedure. Bruising will also slowly subside over the next three weeks or so. The inflammation will resolve over three months or so.

Patients are usually sore for one to two weeks, with minor soreness continuing for up to one month. The patient may require pain drugs in the initial week of recovery.

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


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Liposuction For Your Hips And Thighs

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