I will be having surgery for a bilateral inguinal hernia. i am a smoker who has cut down to 8 or less cigarettes per day and will continue trying to quit. in the meantime, will i be able to have my surgery before i fully quit smoking?

I see no reason why you can’t have your hernia surgery. It is prudent to reduce your smoking prior to your surgery and beyond . Most hernia surgeries are done with a combination of local and general anesthesia which pose no risk to your respiratory system.

It's up to the individual surgeon performing the elective surgery. Some recommend quitting smoking at least 2 weeks before the procedure but 6 weeks is best to get the lungs & immune system in good shape. The goal is to prevent complications and promote good healing.

It is best if you quit before surgery. But if for any reason it has to be done now than it can be done sfely using regional or spinal anesthesia in consultation with your anesthesiologist