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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What is an En bloc Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal?

What is an En bloc Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal?To understand en bloc capsulectomy or total capsulectomy, surgical procedure, it is essential to be familiar with the breast capsule. It is the scar tissue that forms around the breast implant. This occurs as a natural reaction of the body to the implantation, and in most cases, will not change in the way your implants look or feels. 

When taking out the breast implants, the capsule should always be taken into consideration. If the breast implants are being removed permanently, a total capsulectomy can ease tissue recovery and healing. In an enbloc capsulectomy, the full capsule is removed along with the implant as a single unit. The breast implant will stay inside the capsule during the entire surgery.

The surgeon will take out the old capsule via en bloc capsulectomy only when it is suitable and safe for the patient. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast implant removal to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, and surrounding locations.

 

When is En Bloc Capsulectomy Not Advised?

There are some cases where an en bloc capsulectomy surgery cannot be performed or is not the appropriate choice. If the capsule is very delicate and thin to take out as a single piece your explant surgeon will take out as much of the capsule as possible with the implant and then cautiously remove the scar tissue left behind. Another condition that could stop en bloc with total capsulectomy is if the capsule is stuck to the vital tissues.

For instance, if scar tissue is found attached tightly to the rib cage, taking out the tissue could cause damage to the lungs. This at times implies that some portions of the capsule will stay in place. Your surgeon will take all the necessary steps to ensure good healing including sterilizing the capsule left behind. In most cases, the capsule left behind does not cause any problem to the patient.

 

Process of Implant Removal 

Breast implant removal procedure is accomplished in the outpatient setting at an accredited surgical facility. This surgical procedure involves general anesthesia and takes around two hours. Usually, the explant surgery can be performed using the incision sites made during your earlier breast augmentation. 

However, in a few cases, your surgeon may want to make an extra incision to guarantee thorough removal of the capsule. The surgeon will remove the entire capsule that has formed around the breast implant and extract it as one piece. After the removal of both the capsules, the cuts will be closed, and you will be placed in a compression bra.

Taking out the implants help to restore the natural aesthetics of the patient but this procedure may cause some changes to soft tissue. Drooping or sagging is common after the breast implant surgery because the skin stretches itself to accommodate the implant. 

In case the patient is not interested in new implants, there are alternatives to address this issue. The first option is a breast lift, which includes eliminating the extra skin and changing the position of the nipple and areola to construct a perkier breast. 

The other option is to use fat grafting to add more volume in the breast, partly replacing what was created by the implant, but with a more natural and subtle effect. 

 

Recovery from Implant Removal

If you are a non-smoker, not overweight and have general good health, you will not take much time to heal and will require only a few days of downtime. Patients may experience some post-operative swelling that generally resolves within the first four weeks after surgery.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, and nearby areas for breast implant removal.

 

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What is an En bloc Capsulectomy Breast Implant Removal?

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