Is it ok for a dr to refuse to remove an umbilical hernia until you quit smoking? 41/2 in wide and smaller port site hernia after hemicolectomy.

Choices: Recommend hernia repair to avoid complication. Nuances, choices within this recommendation, make up the risk/benefit analysis given at consultation. Your surgeon wants you to reduce risk, and smoking cessation is a huge risk reducer. You, as patient, can get a second opinion, taper your nicotine use, or both. So yes, it is okay for your surgeon to refuse your case. You still need hernia repair.

Risks v. Benefits: When considering elective surgery one must always weigh the risks v. Benefits. Apparently, the surgeon you saw felt that the risk of surgery outweighed the benefits--this is a decision best made in-person and there is no doubt that smoking increases the risk of hernia surgery. If the hernia is causing a lot of pain or increasing in size, the scale may tip in favor of surgery.

Yes: Smoking increases your risk of not healing after surgery. You could also develop a wound infection or infection of the mesh, which could require additional surgeries. The surgeon wants to repair the hernia when this risk of smoking is not there. However, you can make an appointment with another general surgeon to ask for their opinion. They may be will to do surgery now.

Hernia risk: Yes, it is okay for a doctor to refuse to perform a non-emergency, non life threatening operation. Smoking increases the risk of complications (infection, recurrence) for hernia surgery.