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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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Procedure Steps

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Procedure StepsTummy tuck is one of the popular body contouring plastic surgery procedures involving a number of steps. Depending on the tummy tuck surgery technique chosen, there may be some variation in the steps. The surgeon will educate the patient about the procedure steps and help to relieve the patient of any pre-surgery concerns and anxiety.

On their part, the patient should clarify all their doubts and concerns pertaining to tummy tuck procedure before going ahead with the surgery. A patient with proper understanding of the procedure will be more confident and will be able to make better decisions. Experienced cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides tummy tuck patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.  

 

Placing the Incisions

After the administering of anesthesia, the surgeon will begin tummy tuck procedure by placing incisions in inconspicuous locations as per the surgical plan. The length and number of incisions will differ according to the choice of surgical technique and the degree of correction involved. For instance, a circumferential tummy tuck plastic surgery will involve an incision around the complete waist line, including the back, while a partial abdominoplasty may only involve a small incision beneath the belly button.

 

Repositioning the Navel

In a full traditional tummy tuck, the surgeon may have to reposition the navel to a more natural point. The belly button may be detached and replaced in accordance with the new tummy shape. Sometimes the surgeon may decide to sculpt a new navel instead of reattaching the original one. This is an artistic step, which should only be performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon.

 

Tightening Abdominal Muscles

If the tummy is significantly protruding due to underlying weak or separated abdominal muscles, the surgeon may tighten them during tummy tuck surgery. The surgeon will separate the abdominal skin from the abdominal wall through the incisions, and then pull the muscles tighter together. Muscles will be stitched together to provide a more toned appearance to the abdomen. This step will make the waistline look narrower.

 

Removal of Loose Skin

Following the tightening of loose muscles, the abdominal skin will be pulled downward to make it appear smoother and tighter. At this point, excess skin will be trimmed away. Some patients may require liposuction at this stage to remove excess fat deposits before the skin is pulled taut. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for tummy tuck.

 

 

Stretch Mark Reduction

Although tummy tuck is not meant to specifically remove stretch marks, but the surgeon may be able to mitigate their appearance, depending on where the incisions are located. If the stretch marks are below the belly button, they can be removed along with the excess skin. Other stretch marks may also improve after tummy tuck surgery.

 

Wound Closure

Once the surgery is completed, the incisions will be closed carefully with absorbable or removable sutures. The surgeon will place temporary drain tubes under the skin in the incision areas to collect excess fluid. Drain tubes may be removed along with sutures in about a week or 10 days after a tummy tuck.

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Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) 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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