In 2002, Clark slipped a disc in his back and needed invasive surgery that involved being cut open, a lengthy recovery period and a huge scar. But that kind of thing may be going the way of the dodo.

You've heard of less invasive surgeries of the arthroscopic and lathroscopic varieties, right? Well, doctors are now working on going in down your throat and using robotic equipment to take out your gall bladder, appendix or what have you through your mouth. This new technique is done under general anesthesia. Doctors can also go in (and out) through other body openings to do other procedures.

The Washington Post reports that so far there have been no major complications with this new technique. There's no more need for scarring and cutting. Surgery that was previously an in-patient procedure -- necessitating many days of hospital recovery -- can now be done as an out-patient service. But Clark sure doesn't want to be a guinea pig when it comes to this kind of stuff!