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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Skin Removal Surgery After Weight Loss Surgery

Skin Removal Surgery

Skin Removal Surgery After Weight Loss SurgerySkin removal surgery is an increasingly sought-after procedure among women and men who undergo a massive weight loss. The plastic surgery is also effective in addressing post-pregnancy and aging effects which cause loose and sagging skin in some cases. The procedure involves one or more body contouring treatments to remove excess skin from areas such as the breasts, abdomen, love handles, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks.

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

Panniculectomy

Severely drooping skin in the lower abdominal area may sometimes occur after a weight loss surgery. The sagging skin could hang down below the pubic region in some cases. This excess skin collection is medically known as pannus or panniculus. A panniculectomy skin removal cosmetic surgery can be performed to eliminate this excess skin.

A panniculectomy will dramatically enhance your aesthetic look, and at the same time, it will mitigate any related discomfort, infection, or rashes. You can make comfortable movements and wear the clothes of your choice after this surgery. An abdominoplasty may sometimes be combined with a panniculectomy for more harmonious results.

Thigh Lift

A thigh lift plastic surgery can effective eliminate loose skin and excess fat deposits from the inner areas of your thighs. Your surgeon will create incisions in a discreet location, such as the hidden crease of the groin as well as the inner aspects of the thighs. Excess skin and fat will be removed through the incisions, and the thighs will be tightened to enhance your lower body definition and shape.

Buttock Lift

Similar to tummy tuck surgery, a butt lift plastic surgery involves excess skin removal, but from the posterior. Following a weight loss surgery, you may be left with a flattened and saggy look of the buttocks and outer thighs. This can be corrected with a butt lift surgery. The procedure involves placement of an incision just above the buttock through which the excess skin is removed.

Male Chest Lift

Male chest may sometimes develop large amounts of sagging skin following a bariatric surgery or simply because of aging. A chest lift cosmetic surgery in men can effectively correct this condition. Your surgeon will remove the loose skin and excess fat pockets with this procedure to reveal a youthful, masculine, and firmer chest.

Back Lift or Bra Line Lift

An upper back lift, also known as a bra line lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure to remove inelastic, excess skin and fatty tissue from across your upper back and the sides of the breasts (commonly called bra rolls). Your surgeon will create the scar in a discreet area so that it gets concealed underneath the bra.

Lower Body Lift

A lower body lift, also called circumferential body lift, is one of the common procedures included in a skin removal surgery. In this 360 degree comprehensive skin tightening surgery, your surgeon will remove hanging and loose skin from the abdomen, flanks, buttocks, lower back and thighs. Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for skin removal surgery.

Contact Beverly Hills Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie to Schedule a Consultation

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

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