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 Plastic Surgery Procedure Steps

Liposuction Plastic Surgery Procedure StepsLiposuction is one of the more customizable plastic surgery procedures, which can be performed independently or in conjunction with other surgeries. Several new technologies and surgical techniques are available today to make liposuction less invasive, but the procedure steps will largely remain common under most options.

Dr. Gary Motykie is an experienced cosmetic surgeon providing liposuction and various other procedures. During the initial consultation, Dr. Motykie will explain all the steps in the procedure to give a fair idea to the patient about what to expect. He provides liposuction to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations.

 

Anesthesia

Liposuction plastic surgery procedure may be performed using general or local anesthesia. General anesthesia in liposuction is rarely used these days because the surgical techniques are now less invasive and it is possible to avoid general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is usually administered, which may be combined with mild sedation in some cases.

One of the popular techniques nowadays is tumescent liposuction, which only requires the use of local anesthesia. In any case, the surgeon will recommend the appropriate form of anesthesia according to the amount of fat to be removed and other factors.

 

Incision Placement

Following anesthesia, small incisions will be placed in discreet locations in the specific area from where fat deposits will be removed. The size of the incisions will usually range from a quarter to a third of an inch. While the incisions are minor, these must be placed in precise locations to minimize subsequent scarring and achieve optimal results in a less invasive manner.

Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for liposuction and various other procedures of the body, breast, and face.

 

Fat Tissue Removal

To remove the excess fat tissue, a slim vacuum tube called a cannula will be inserted through the incision. As the cannula reaches the deeper fat layers, the surgeon will move it back and forth to manually dislodge the stubborn fat cells. Once the fats are disintegrated, a syringe attached to the other end of the cannula will be used to suction them out.

Laser, RF, ultrasound, or other heat-based techniques may be applied at this stage to make the fat removal simpler and less invasive. Replacement fluids will be given to the patient through IV during and after liposuction because some amount of blood and bodily fluid loss will occur as fat is removed.

 

Wound Closure

The incisions will be closed once the procedure is completed. The surgeon may use removable or absorbable sutures for this purpose. Drainage tubes may be placed below the skin to collect excess fluid and prevent infection. Sutures and drains may be removed in about one week to 10 days. In case of very small incisions, the surgeon may decide to keep them open in order to minimize bruising and swelling.

In many cases, liposuction may be combined with other procedures such as tummy tuck, body lift, facelift, or a mommy makeover. The surgeon will discuss these options with the patient while preparing the liposuction surgery plan.

 

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Liposuction Plastic Surgery Procedure Steps

To see more services and treatments provided by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Motykie in Beverly Hills | Los Angeles and his team please visit:

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