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.

Liposuction

Liposuction Beverly Hills | Los Angeles

LiposuctionIn order to slim and reshape the body, liposuction removes areas of excess fat deposits that are resistant to exercise and diet. Liposuction was invented in Paris France and it was first introduced in the U.S.A in 1982. Since then, liposuction has become the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedure worldwide.  Liposuction can safely and effectively remove excess fat deposits of the abdomen, waist, thighs, hips, buttocks, upper arms, back, knees, chest/breasts and neck.  In some cases, liposuction is sometimes performed alone and in other cases it is used in combination with other plastic surgery procedures such as breast reduction, face lifting or a tummy tuck.  Overall, liposuction has become a very popular procedure because the recovery period is short and the results can be quite dramatic.

Even with a reasonable level of health and fitness, some people still have localized areas of fat deposits or “trouble areas” such as “love handles”, “saddle bags” or “muffin tops.”  These “trouble” areas may be due to genetics, increasing age or hormonal changes rather than a lack of weight control or fitness. Liposuction is most effective in removing these stubborn, localized fat deposits that are not responsive to dieting and exercising alone. Patients often ask if it is better to diet and exercise before or after a liposuction procedure.  My answer is always both! If you begin a proper health and wellness program prior to surgery, you are more likely to return to them after your surgery   Secondly, if you begin practicing good eating habits and effective exercise routines prior to surgery, you will expose the most stubborn trouble areas on your body which are then more effectively targeted for removal during liposuction. The final results from liposuction are greatly enhanced when they are combined with a proper diet and exercise program and often the immediate improvement seen from the liposuction is used as a motivational factor for patients to make healthier lifestyle choices as well as continue losing any remaining weight.

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The fat surrounding our bodies is distributed into two distinct layers, superficial and deep. Overall, the superficial layer of fat is closer to the skin and it is composed of smaller lobules that are encased in multiple fibrous compartments. The deep layer of fat is closer to the muscles and it is composed of larger lobules that are surrounded by a loose framework of connective tissue. The superficial layer of fat is relatively stable in thickness with weight fluctuations whereas the deep layer of fat readily expands with weight gain because it is designed to be able to stretch.  It is the deep layer that creates the bulges and rolls that are seen with significant weight gain. Even though, the fat cells in the deep layer remain constant in number, they can expand and literally get fatter and fatter with weight gain. Therefore, effective and correctly performed liposuction should target the deeper layer of fat that is causing the actual “trouble areas” and not the superficial layer of harmless “good fat” that remains relatively constant in thickness with weight gain. When the deep layer of fat is removed, the results are more aesthetically pleasing as well as more effective since the overall concentration of storage fat cells in the treated areas have been permanently reduced. These areas should now also be less sensitive to weight gain and therefore will no longer be as troublesome with slight weight fluctuations in the future.

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Since liposuction in the proper deep fat layer near the muscles can cause more discomfort in the awake patient, general anesthesia is critical to performing safe and effective liposuction. Unfortunately, surgeons performing pure tumescent (awake) liposuction may tend to stay in the more superficial layer of fat to avoid causing patient discomfort and movement during the procedure. This can have disastrous consequences on the final result from surgery because it can lead to lumps, dents and/or skin rippling/damage (mottling of the skin). These types of complications are very difficult to correct and often require a revision surgery with fat grafting to repair the damage adequately. If the damage is in the skin itself, skin tightening can be attempted with radiofrequency devices, ultrasound machines and/or endermologie.

Ideal candidates for liposuction are healthy, non-smoking adults with firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone that are within 30% of their ideal weight. Overall, individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind have the best results from body contouring surgery.  Remember, even though liposuction trims the body of unwanted, excess fat, it should never be considered a treatment for obesity or a substitute for a healthy diet and proper exercise program. Overall, I believe the best results from liposuction make patients look healthy and fit and not unnaturally skinny or thin. I always say “Keep the curves and get rid of the bulges.” The only thing left for you to do after liposuction is to maintain a proper diet and exercise program so your new trim body can stay that way for an extended period of time.

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Liposuction is a remarkably safe and effective procedure when it is performed in well-trained and experienced hands so when considering liposuction for yourself, finding a quality and experienced plastic surgeon should be your top priority. When selecting the right surgeon for your liposuction procedure, it is important that you research both the procedure and the doctor in order to maximize your chances of success and minimize your chances of a complication. Most importantly, make certain your liposuction surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon that employs good technique and judgment so you can get the dramatic results you expect from your surgery.

In the following pages, Dr. Motykie has provided detailed information on liposuction from the day of your consultation through having the surgery and its long term expectations. Follow the links below to learn as much as you can about liposuction with Dr Motykie.  We hope you find the information helpful and educational. If you decide you may want to have liposuction performed by Dr. Motykie, you can follow the link at the bottom of the page at any time to schedule a consultation with Dr Motykie.

To find out more about liposuction please contact us at 310-246-2355