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 breast lift surgery with implants? 

Breast lift surgery with implants

What is breast lift surgery with implants? Breast lift and breast augmentation both rank among the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the US. But some women may experience both loss of breast volume and sagging breast tissue, which requires a combination of both these surgeries to correct the breast appearance.  

Your surgeon will evaluate your breast anatomy along with your personal aesthetic goals at the time of initial consultation. Based on your needs, they will determine whether you are a fit candidate for breast lift surgery with implants.  

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie provides breast augmentation with lift to patients in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding locations. 

Candidacy  

Breast implants with lift plastic surgery is usually appropriate for women in the age group of 40 and above who are unhappy with their smaller as well as droopy breast appearance. But some younger women may also benefit from this surgery, if they experience the same conditions following pregnancy or a substantial weight loss.  

Heredity is another factor that may require a woman to undergo breast augmentation with lift at a relatively younger age. You should consider the following signs to see if you might be a candidate for this surgery:  

  • Your breasts are sagging and have lost volume and shape  
  • Your breasts are pendulous, or have an elongated, flatter shape  
  • Without support, your nipples tend to sag under the breast crease 
  • Your nipples and areolas are pointing downward 
  • Breasts are asymmetrical  

Benefits of a Combined Procedure  

Breast lift with breast augmentation has several advantages for the right candidate:  

  • Safety profile of a combined augmentation and lift is as good as that of a single surgery  
  • The surgeon can use common incisions to perform both procedures, which will reduce scarring  
  • Less degree of lifting will be required because the implants will help fill out the breasts  
  • You will go through general anesthesia, surgery, and recovery only once for the dual procedure 

According to researchers, recovery, side effects, and potential risks are not very different, whether you choose a single breast surgery or a combined procedure.  

Surgical Procedure  

Following general anesthesia, your procedure will begin with the surgeon placing discreet incisions beneath the breast crease or around the areolas to perform breast augmentation and lift.  

Once the breast pocket is created, the saline or silicone implants will be placed above or below the pectoral muscle. The incisions and implant placement will be done according to the pre-determined customized surgical plan.  

Following the implant placement, the surgeon will excise the loose breast skin and tighten the tissue to provide a subtle lift to the breasts. If significant breast skin reduction and reposition of nipples and areolas is required, the surgeon may first perform the breast lift and then place the implants.  

Once both the procedures are completed, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures. They will wrap the incision sites in bandages for the first one or two days. Once the bandage is removed, you will be required to wear a surgical bra for a few days.  

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Gary Motykie receives patients from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and nearby areas for breast lift with implants surgery.  

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