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 vs. Liposuction

Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction
Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction

Unwanted fat deposits in the abdominal area are a common aesthetic problem for both women and men today. With the passage of time, these deposits become resistant to diet and exercise. Candidates who are unhappy with this condition may choose a plastic surgery procedure to improve body contours and restore a firmer abdomen.

Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery and liposuction are two major procedures that are aimed at reducing excess fat deposits and enhancing abdominal contours. Dr. Gary Motykie is one of the leading cosmetic surgeons providing both tummy tuck and liposuction procedures. Dr. Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.

Key Differences

Tummy tuck surgery and liposuction can be distinguished from each other on several parameters. At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss the pros and cons of both treatment options with the patient.

Reducing Fat and Skin

Some patients may only suffer from accumulation of excess fat deposits in the abdominal region, but they may still have good skin elasticity and fairly tight underlying muscles. In such cases, liposuction plastic surgery can be very effective to reduce unwanted fats in a minimally invasive manner.

However, some patients may have excess skin and weak or separated underlying muscles in the abdominal area, apart from excess fat tissue. In such case, the abdomen will sag significantly, and a tummy tuck surgery will be necessary to restore a more youthful abdominal contour.

Complexity of Procedure

While both tummy tuck and liposuction should only be performed by an experienced cosmetic surgeon, but tummy tuck is usually a relatively more complex procedure. Tummy tuck will typically be performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The length of the surgery will also be longer because of fat reduction and skin and muscle tightening procedures.

Liposuction, on the other hand, is usually less invasive and may be performed using local anesthesia in many cases. Dr. Motykie provides both procedures to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas.

Scarring

In case of full tummy tuck surgery, multiple incisions may be required in the lower and upper abdomen. The length of incisions in case of liposuction will be relatively minor. Tumescent technique or laser assisted liposuction techniques can be performed using very small incisions. As a result, the length of the scars in case of tummy tuck will usually be higher than in the case of liposuction.

Scarring in tummy tuck will also depend on the type of surgical technique chosen to perform the procedure. An experienced surgeon will try to make incisions in discreet locations to minimize the visibility of scars.

Recovery

The downtime involved in liposuction can be reduced considerably if the surgeon employs tumescent or laser assisted liposuction techniques. Most patients can return to their regular activities in about a week to 10 days.

Tummy tuck procedure, on the other hand, will involve about 10 to 14 days of downtime. In some cases, both liposuction and tummy tuck may be combined to achieve more comprehensive outcomes.

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Tummy Tuck vs. Liposuction

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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