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You might be under the false impression that because someone owns a medical practice they are very wealthy. It might be true, but just as easily it might not. If a physician isn’t making the kind of money he should it might be because he doesn’t have the skills necessary to take care of the business side of his business.

A physician who recognizes this weakness will use the services of a medical billing company to take care of the details of his office.

These companies have a trained staff of medical billing professionals who are trained to take care of every billing need a medical practice would have. They can handle the insurance details as well as the medical coding part of the business.

Insurance companies can be very difficult to work with. They will deny a claim for the slightest reason and some of those reasons border on the ridiculous.

A medical practice that is quite busy with patients and chooses to submit their own claims to insurance companies will find that their claims are denied a good deal of the time. If a medical billing company is used, however, this does not happen as often.

A medical practice that sees a great many patients must fill out the insurance claim forms for every one of those patients. One person could be responsible for filling out the forms for every patient that visits the practice. That person must write out the insurance forms and send them off to the insurance company. If one error is made on those insurance forms the claim will be automatically denied. It is then sent back to be corrected and filled out again.

This can often overload the person that is responsible for handling the medical insurance forms.

When the claims are all filled out properly and everything is fine it can still take the insurance company months to send a check. If the practice is relatively small this can wreak havoc on the budget of the small practice. Especially, if there are claims that are denied all in the same time period.

When a medical billing company does the work the practice is relieved of the duty to handle the insurance forms and all of the problems that are associated with it. There are professionals working on the claims and getting them to the insurance company through electronic methods. This eliminates the need to enter the claims manually to the insurance company.

A medical billing company will also make sure that the claim goes through the process error and problem free. They will constantly monitor the claims to make sure that there is no problem. Most of these businesses have a success rate of more than ninety percent.

An electronic submittal of a claim gets either rejected or accepted right away. If it is accepted the check will be sent to the practice in days not months as happens with a manual system.

If the practice is small a business that will get them their checks from the insurance company quickly is the difference between success and failure. If the practice thinks that the cost of a medical billing company is too much for the small business to afford they should consider what is at stake and then analyze the cost.

A medical billing company will work for any type of practice no matter what kind of medicine they practice.

Peter Geisheker is CEO of The Geisheker Group marketing firm. One of the types of clients that Peter helps are medical billing services

When was the last time:

You went out to a restaurant and ordered the food you truly wanted?

Ate corn on the cob?

Sank your teeth into a mouth watering 16 oz. steak?

Enjoyed a juicy crisp apple?

If it’s been a while since you’ve done any of these things because of tooth loss or ill-fitting dentures, maybe its time you considered dental implants. A common dental procedure, implants are used to replace missing teeth, to support non-removable permanent bridges, or to provide support for full or partial dentures with clasps or retention bars. Dental implants also prevent additional tooth loss and jawbone decay.

Dental implants feel more natural than bridges or dentures. The implants are inserted into the jaw using a variety of different procedures. After implanted, they work like normal teeth and require no special care other than normal brushing and flossing. Dentists use life-like porcelain tooth restoration procedures to match the implants to the original tooth color so implants look as good as the real thing.

Dental implants can:

A. Improve overall quality of life. Dental implants allow you to eat healthier foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Chewing is improved which aids in better digestion and overall stomach function.

B. Improve confidence in social situations. When you go out in public you will never again have to worry about dentures slipping or fear ordering your favorite foods. Dental implants will also improve the look of your teeth, giving you that bright white smile that you haven’t had in years.

C. Save you money. Once implanted, dental implants can be cared for as easily as natural teeth. No more messy and costly denture cleaning solutions, replacements and refitting. Simply brush, floss and go!

D. Allow you to relax and stop worrying. Dental implants act as natural teeth so laugh and enjoy life again and don’t worry about unsightly denture slips.

Dental implants can actually restore your teeth to 90% of their original strength. They are used to replace old fashioned dentures and bridgework and help restore loss facial bone due to tooth loss and jawbone decay. A common dental procedure, implants are used to replace missing teeth, to support non-removable permanent bridges, or to provide support for full or partial dentures with clasps or retention bars.

Dental implants feel more natural than bridges or dentures. The implants are inserted into the jaw using a variety of different procedures. After implanted, they work like normal teeth and require no special care other than normal brushing and flossing. Dentists use life-like porcelain tooth restoration procedures to match the implants to the original tooth color so implants look as good as the real thing.

Q. What Types of Dental Implants are Available?

A. There are a variety of types of dental implant procedures available today. Traditional implant procedures involves a primary surgery in which the placement of a temporary crown or prosthesis. After 4 months, the permanent crown or prosthesis is permanently cemented into place. Another type of implant procedure which is becoming increasingly popular is immediate load implants. If bone decay is minimal, often patients can walk into the dentist office and have the dental implants done immediately, all in one appointment!

Q: How Painful are Dental Implants?

A: Most patients report that they have very little pain after the procedure. The pain of implant procedures are far less than the pain that comes from years of dental care neglect.

Q: What is the Cost of Implant Treatment?

A: The cost of dental implant treatment varies of the type of procedure needed. Many insurance companies cover the cost of dental implants and most dentists offer payment plans for those not covered by insurance.

With today’s modern dental procedures, no one has to settle for bulky dentures or uncomfortable bridgework anymore. Dental implants can quickly and easily restore your teeth to the way that they once were: white, bright and strong. They are many different types of dental implant procedures, visit your dentist today to find out which one is right for you.

Ray Subs works with Dr. Ronald Receveur as a consultant to his dental practice in New Albany, Indiana. More information regarding Dr. Ronald Receveur and his practice can be found at Indiana Smiles.com

Let’s face it. Dentists are busy people. Very busy. They often have a case load that keeps them working all day long. They don’t always have time to tell you everything you should know about your teeth and gums or how to care for them.

Yet, gum disease appears to be the cause of the majority of tooth loss in the world. Therefore, it must be important to know about. If you have ever had gum disease, you know how frustrating and bewildering the experience is.

Most people have heard the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. So it is with gum disease. Even if you are not currently nursing a pretty obvious case of gum disease, a question needs to be asked: Do you know everything you need to know about this disease?

In addition to that question, are there tools and techniques that you don’t know about that might help you, provided you had the permission of your dentist to try them? The answer is yes. It is not likely that you are aware of all of the things that might help you stop the progression of an existing case of gum disease or to help you prevent it in the first place.

For example, most people have not heard of the Perio-Aid. This is a simple, elegant and powerful tool that you can use to help remove plaque and strengthen the gums at the same time. Yet, many people haven’t heard of it. At the same time, not many dentists are promoting this tool. If your dentist happens to be a periodontist, then it is more likely that he may have told you about it.

Of course, there are many other tools and techniques that may be helpful in fighting and preventing gum disease. Our dentists are busy people and they may not have the time to share everything they know with you during a short office visit. In addition, maybe they are so busy that they haven’t had time to remain up to date on the latest and greatest?

One thing is fairly clear, the average person needs to know more about home care. Sometimes brushing and flossing are not enough to fight off dental diseases. Clearly there are a lot of people suffering from gum disease and cavities. If brushing and flossing were enough, perhaps there wouldn’t be so many sad cases?

I once faced a similar situation. In fact, I was fortunate enough to do a little investigation of my own when I was told that I needed a special gum treatment. What I realized from that investigation is that people are largely unaware of what gum disease is and what it can do. More importantly, most people are unaware of what they can do about stopping and preventing gum disease at home - with the permission of their dentists, of course.

Wouldn’t it be worth learning more about this disease? After all, your teeth are a precious asset. Anyone with dentures or even implants might tell you that they would rather have their own natural teeth back. There really is no substitute for keeping your teeth or at least keeping those that remain. I know it is possible. I think it just involves a bit of work at home in addition to professional care at the dentist’s office.

David Snape is the author of What You Should Know about Gum Disease . He also answers questions at his blog: http://tobeinformed.com.

Are you afraid of going to the dentist? If so, you are far from alone. People often list going to the dentist as one of their top fears. As a matter of fact, some people fear going to the dentist so much that they skip the procedure altogether and neglect their dental care. This can result in you losing teeth at an early age.

While it is important to brush your teeth regularly, it is also important to have annual dental check ups. The dentist can not only spot a cavity, but also potential problem such as oral cancers. There have been cases where a dental checkup has saved a person’s life because the dentist spotted oral cancer before it had a chance to grow.

You should not be afraid of going to the dentist, but if you do, you are not alone. Some of the reasons why people are afraid of going to the dentist include the following:

Bad past experience

If you have had a bad past experience at the dentist, it is no small wonder that you are now afraid of going to the dentist. A bad past experience can be anything from having a tooth pulled without the proper anesthesia to just an insensitive dentist. Most dentists today are prepared to combat a bad past experience with a positive experience. Dentists today understand how important it is to make their patient relax. If you have had a bad past experience with a dentist, relax. Chalk it up to a bad experience and give another dentist a chance.

Sensitive teeth

If you have sensitive teeth, you do not want anyone touching them or using instruments on them. But you need dental care just the same. One of the ways to deal with sensitive teeth is through sedation dentistry. This is a method where the patient is put into what is known as a “twilight sleep.” You are not completely under, but you do not feel any pain nor do you have any fear. Everything just seems wonderful to you. Sedation dentistry is the best option for anyone with sensitive teeth.

Other attitudes

If you are taking your child to the dentist and you are afraid of the dentist, your child will pick up on that fear. Many children are afraid of dentists because their parents are also afraid of the dentist. You should be very positive when taking your child to the dentist for the first time so that he or she does not develop a fear of the dentist.

Whether you have had a bad dental experience in the past, have had friends or parents afraid of the dentist or just have sensitive teeth, you still should visit the dentist on an annual basis. And if you are like most people, you are eventually going to need some work done. It is best to take care of your teeth with preventative medicine, such as seeing a dentist on a regular basis and heading off any problems before they begin, then to try to fix the problems later. You only get one set of teeth - look after them.

Ray Subs is a writer and consultant for Indiana Smiles. You can learn more about him at http://www.indianasmiles.com

No surgery is ever a risk-free procedure. But in the hands of a skilled surgeon, the risks are minimal, or even non-existent.

Possible Dangers of Surgery

Some of the complications that arise from a tummy tuck operation are necrosis (loss of skin), asymmetrical or irregular tucks, or improper healing.

Tummy tucks always produce a permanent scar, and this is information that prospective patients should know. This scar often extends from hip to hip. In most cases, the doctors ensure the positioning of the scar is such that it is not visible under most clothing, even swimwear, so that it is not noticeable to onlookers.

However, because of individual healing patterns, this scar may turn out to be an ugly, raised, and irregular mark. Sometimes, the scar bulges outwards, in the form of a “dog ear”. In case of prominent extensions, the surgeons often revisit the scar area at a later time.

Infections that result from the surgery are treated with the use of antibiotics and drainage. But any infections that occur, only delay the healing process to longer than is normal.

You may also run the risk of blood clots after the surgery. Continual movement after the surgery, as soon as is possible, is required to prevent the formation of clots.

Post-surgery and Recuperation

A tummy tuck is a major surgical procedure and often requires heavy medication to alleviate the discomfort and pain that follows the surgery.

A hospital stay of a couple of days is required in most cases. This, however, can also be swapped for professional nursing care at home, if you so prefer it.

For the duration of some weeks after the surgery, you will be required to wear an abdominal supporter. This supporter replaces the dressing at the time of discharge from the hospital.

A patient who has recently undergone a tummy tuck procedure is advised bed rest for some days after the procedure. To minimize the pain and to remain comfortable, the legs should be kept bent at the hips so that there is very little strain on the abdominal area.

Though it is a major operation, recovery is generally quick. Within a few days, you should be able to carry out your normal activities. However, it is important that you not indulge in strenuous activities for at least three to four weeks; although you may well be able t go back to work within the first couple of weeks itself.

Your doctor will ask you to resume walking as soon as is possible for you, but you may find it difficult at first. Patients generally complain of a “lugging sensation” when they try standing up after this surgery. It is only after the body gets accustomed to the tightened abdomen region that this feeling will pass, and for that you will require patience to keep trying even if faced with discomfort.

Bruising after the surgery is uncommon but not unheard of. Swelling, on the other hand, is common, and may be present for up to three months after the procedure took place. You will also experience a loss of sensation in the skin around your abdominal region, which may not return for several months.

The surface stitches on your abdomen will be removed within a week after your operation. The deeper stitches, which do not dissolve and remain visible above the surface, will be removed after two-three weeks.

Exercise is not advisable till it does not cause any discomfort. The normal duration for this stage of recovery is five to six weeks after the surgery. Patience is a virtue after such a procedure, as it may be a year before your body returns to normal and the scars become less noticeable.

Get free tips on preparing yourself for cosmetic surgery as well as things to do before and after cosmetic surgery at http://www.enhancivesurgery.com, the renowed cosmetic surgery facelift and treatment resources

Humans are vulnerable creatures. Any day, any time, anyone can fall ill if we do not take care of our health properly. Whether it is a minor condition like the common flu, a serious condition like cancer or some other long-term ailment, both the young and old cannot escape from such unfortunate works of nature. It is evident that there is a need for medical products and services to help prevent germs and viruses from attacking one’s body, to reduce the effects of a health problem, or to prevent a health condition from worsening.

Today, technology has enabled us to enjoy better quality products and services like never before. Scientific discoveries have made it possible for us to benefit from cheaper and better medical products. The advancement of nanotechnology and robotics for instance, has produced effective drugs, vaccines and devices, facilitating the treatment of patients in most areas of our health. Cheaper drugs have also made treatment available to the less privileged, allowing more and more people to have access to such goods and services.

Other than consuming medical products and services for the usual purpose, many do turn to them to prevent the occurrence of certain conditions or for cosmetic enhancement. For example, this may take place when an individual wishes to prevent further hair loss. He then has to rely on specific medical equipment to treat that condition, and ensure that its intended effect is achieved by consuming certain medicine. In addition, one may wish to enhance her beauty by taking injections to prevent wrinkles from forming around the eyes. Both examples show that other than treating basic health problems, medical products and services also serve various purposes, which may not be deemed necessary. Thus, there are multiple reasons why one requires access to these medical products and services.

The market available to sell these products and services to is large. For example, hospitals and private practices require the use of them to treat their patients for the above-mentioned reasons. Thus, pharmaceutical companies producing the relevant equipment or medical supplies need to be able to contact them to sell them their products. Conversely, hospitals and private practices rely on these companies to keep on manufacturing these products and equipment. Thus, it is essential that businesses in this industry are able to contact their target prospects and customers effectively.

In order for businesses to gain immediate information on where these hospitals and practices can be found, it is always convenient to have access to medical mailing lists for all types of medical products and services. A medical mailing list would contain complied information of the various contacts of hospitals and private practices, where medical products and services are needed. They will be accurate and up-to-date as companies offering these lists maintain them through continuous research and monitoring. Therefore, businesses that wish to sell their medical products and services to a highly specific prospect group can save time and money by using a good medical mailing list. They will be able to use it to locate relevant groups of companies that are suitable for their marketing campaigns, reaching their customers within a short period of time.

Chris Burns is an authority on mailing list services providing valuable advice at http://www.MailingListsUSA.com where you can learn more about Business Mailing Lists. Click Here to learn more about the services that he provides.

Many people believe that just because a person owns a medical practice they have a lot of money. In some instances this can be true however, many times a physician can own a medical practice and still have very little money to show for it. This is not because he or she is not a good physician, most often it is because he or she lacks the skills to run the business end of their practice efficiently.

More and more physicians are finding that using a medical billing service actually helps them to run a more efficient office.

A medical billing company has trained professionals that will handle all of the billing needs from coding to submission to the insurance companies.

Many insurance companies today have reputations of being notorious for denying claims that have been submitted for the most ridiculous reasons.

A busy medical practice that submits their claims on their own is more likely to have those claims denied than if a medical billing service was used.

If a medical practice sees fifty patients a day, then fifty medical claim forms must be filled out and submitted. This means that the person who fills out the claims manually must go through the entire process fifty times a day manually and mail it to the insurance company where it will sit in stacks of thousands of other claims waiting to be entered into the insurance company computers. If there is one mistake, the claim will be rejected and sent back to the medical practice to be filled out properly.

This means that the person who fills out the medical claims will have more work than he or she can handle. It can be very frustrating.

Even if the claims are filled out correctly, it can take several weeks to several months to receive a check from the insurance company. For a small medical practice, it can be devastating if several claims are denied at the same time.

A medical billing service takes all of the headaches and frustration away because they handle every aspect of medical billing. Trained professionals code the claims and submit them to the insurance companies electronically, eliminating the process of manually entering them at the insurance company.

Another benefit is that a medical billing company offers is that they will follow the claim from beginning to end, making sure that there are no problems. They also have an excellent acceptance rate of over ninety percent.

When a claim is submitted electronically, it is either accepted or rejected immediately. When it is accepted, a reimbursement check is sent out within days and not weeks or months.

For small medical practices that rely on the insurance reimbursement checks to operate their business, a medical billing company is a godsend. Many think that the cost of a medical billing company is more than they can pay; however when you look at what you could lose, the cost is really quite reasonable.

Medical billing companies are available to everyone in the medical industry no matter what their specialty is.

Peter Geisheker is CEO of The Geisheker Group marketing firm. One of the types of clients that Peter helps are medical billing services

Drooping eyelids are an early sign of advancing years. Blepharoplasty, or Eyelid Surgery, is fast becoming a popular among older people who do not want to lose the charms of their good looks to old age.

Eyelid surgery, to ‘lift’ eyelids can add shape to the eyes, and assist in the removal of under-eye bags. Wrinkles however are an issue that cannot be addressed by this procedure, as are crows’ feet. To remove those, Botox treatments are required.

Drooping upper eyelids and swollen or puffy lower lids are often a hereditary characteristic that is visible in both men and woman. As a person ages, however, the skin around the eyes thins and stretches and does not remain taut as before. Age also causes the muscles in the area around the eyes to weaken, and the fat surrounding the eyeball shifts forward leading to eyelids that appear saggy.

The movement of a fat pad, detached from the bone of the lower eye, cause puffiness in the lower eye because it starts sagging. Hooding over the eyes is a result of drooping eyelids which occur as lids get heavier in older people.

If this is the situation you find yourself is, and you are weighing the possibility of a surgical procedure to lift your eyes, you should know what to expect and what you have to undergo.

The surgery is a simple procedure. While carrying out the operation, the patient may be under general anesthesia or conscious sedation, often referred to as twilight anesthesia. Under the latter condition, the patient remains under anesthesia but in a conscious state for the duration of the surgery. Although it sounds like daunting prospect, it isn’t in actuality. A patient having eyelid surgery will probably be admitted only as a day patient, and will not be kept overnight after the surgery.

Lower Eyelid

The eyelid lift can be performed in a variety of ways, but there is one most preferred method of lower lid surgery. An incision is made along the lower lashes and under them. The skin and muscles under the lid are lifted to remove some amount of fat from the area. Trimming of skin and muscles reduces the puffiness around that area.

In case of only lower lid surgery, the surgery will not leave any scarring as the fat can be removed directly form the inside of the eyes to reduce bags and swelling.

Upper eyelid

Upper eyelid surgery is carried out by a procedure by which the surgeon makes his incision along the natural fold of the upper eyelid. The cut takes the natural shape of the eyelids. Once the lower part of the lid skin is marked, it is trimmed away along with excess skin from the upper edge. Fat deposits and muscles may also be trimmed to add more sharpness to the shape of the eyelid. The incision is stitched together such that the scar left by it is hidden in the natural eyelid crease.

The whole procedure doesn’t take more than three hours under normal circumstances. In most cases the patients are discharged from the hospital the same day as the surgery without any pressure on an overnight stay.

Get free tips on preparing yourself for cosmetic surgery as well as things to do before and after cosmetic surgery at http://www.enhancivesurgery.com, the renowed cosmetic surgery facelift and treatment resources

Cosmetic surgery has a long span of history in human mankind. A hundred years have passed since the first face lift was performed. Are you surprised? Face lifts are still the most popular cosmetic surgeries that people rush into at the first mention of aging symptoms. A wrinkle here, an extra fold of the skin there, and a face lift remains the only solution for most.

The signs of old age are a depressing fact for many people. As the skins stretches and loses its youthful elasticity, as the muscles begin to sag and fat deposits make the face look baggy and wrinkly, many are appalled at the sight of their faces. After a face lift shows positive results, these same people are happy again because of the youthful appearance masking their age. Confidence returns in all glory as people feel happier about the way they look.

Tightening and stretching the skin, however, is not all that comprises a face or neck lift. Good cosmetic surgeons attempt to make the face look naturally young, rather than just tightening the loose skin. Their objective is to give their patients a natural appearance of youth and not a mere pretence. To this effect, the may remove, add or reposition tissues on the face, changing its tissue structure. The areas on the face where these changes are most noticeable are the jowls, the neck and the lower part of the face.

Miracles are not real

Contrary to popular believes, a face lift doesn’t give you a new face, or your youth back. There are limitations to what a surgical procedure can or cannot do and it is important to know these facts before deciding on surgery. A face or neck lift can tighten the loose skin on the face or neck area and doctors can replace and reposition fatty tissue to reduce the baggy folds of sagging skin. Face lifts do not miraculously make wrinkles disappear. To rectify sunken features, fat filler have to be done since simple lifts don’t address such issues.

The right time for a face or neck lift

To have the best time to get your face or neck lift, the procedure shows maximum results when it is carried out at an age when the signs of aging have made their first appearance and advanced years haven’t taken their complete toll yet. At such a time the surgeon will find it easier to give you a superstar look, but it will not be so later the longer you wait.

The right number for the right face

Many patients are often not satisfied with a single surgical procedure to lift their sagging skin and go in for multiple surgeries. Others may wait for upto twelve years for age to catch up with them before they decide on another lift.

It is best to have a frank discussion with your surgeon about your expectations from the procedure. He is the person best placed to answer all your queries and advise you on what is good for your skin and your health.

Learn more about recovery time and risks of lower body lifts as well as the precautionary measures to take during silicone breast implants from the renowed cosmetic surgery treatment and resources, http://www.enhancivesurgery.com

Finding the right LASIK surgeon is one of the major problems that a prospective LASIK patient will have. An ethical LASIK doctor will pay more attention to gauging your eligibility and your health issues instead of focusing on how to take your hard earned money. The doctor you choose should already have extensive experience in performing LASIK eye surgeries. You can ask him or her about past patients in order to assess his or her track record. A good physician will just about always get positive reviews from their patients.

In order to assess how extensive your doctor’s experience is, ask him the duration of his or her practice in LASIK eye surgery, and how familiar he or she is with the different LASIK eye surgery techniques. Look for a doctor who has been performing the procedure for at least three years. This is usually long enough to demonstrate a solid reputation or a disastrous one.

There is also the question of the frequency of the LASIK doctor’s operations. The doctor should have already performed this procedure enough times in the last few years that he is already well versed in modern procedures and technologies. If your doctor has done fewer than 500 operations during this time, perhaps you should consider another LASIK doctor.

Your LASIK surgeon should also be able to provide his or her success rate of his or her previous operations. Excellent LASIK doctors will almost always get an end result of at least 20/40 vision for their patients. You should note, however, that the aim of LASIK is vision correction, and not vision restoration. In other words, your eyes having 20/40 vision as an end result is already an achievement. Ask your doctor how many of his patients have achieved 20/40 vision after the first surgery. Your doctor might say that he or she has higher than 90% success rate of giving at least 20/40 vision to his or her patients; if this is the case, ask for proof. In addition, 50% of your prospective doctor’s patients should have achieved 20/20 vision.

To gauge how much importance your doctor gives to his or her patients’ health instead of their money, ask for examples of cases when he or she discouraged the patient from having the surgery, and why. Not everyone is eligible for LASIK eye surgery. Extensive examinations and tests must be done beforehand to determine if LASIK is applicable to the patient’s eye problems.

A respected LASIK surgeon will not only have a good reputation, but also will walk you through the whole process, including all necessary pre-examination prior to surgery. This is paramount, considering the inherit importance of these types of surgeries. Your pre-exam appointment will consist of a Q and A, which should cover any issues you are concerned about. Interviewing other LASIK patients should give you a good idea of the quality of service you can expect. Believe it or not, there are LASIK offices that offer little or no post-operative care. This would obviously be a red flag.

Your prospective LASIK surgeon may also be able to recommend some financing options in order to deal with the costs that the operation may entail. It is important to note that some financing options may come at a high cost, that cost being in the form of high interest rates. Always look over the fine print when it comes to financing a LASIK procedure, or any thing, for that matter. If the doctor to whom you went to is open to these questions and entertains all of them, you may have gone to the right doctor to perform your LASIK procedure.

If you’re thinking about having LASIK eye surgery it’s important to do your homework. You want to find a reputable LASIK Surgeon that you can put your trust in. This may come at a bit higher price, but why risk it?