A 3 inch strip of drywall is enough to run receptacles around a room.
Run wire above ceiling joist no attic.
If the wires are within 7 of the attic access hole or along any attic flooring you ll need.
For vertical work you can cut about 6 inches below the wall ceiling joint drill through the top plat and then fish from the opening ion the ceiling.
Running electrical wire through the channel between ceiling joists is generally easiest.
In addition your light fixture may require mounting to a ceiling joist or to two short blocks nailed.
The actual install of recessed lights here https youtu be 5yc8aqnvqqg the long bit is actually used.
If there is any attic space at all or you get lucky with the joist bays you will likely be able to fish a.
If there is access above the light in an attic or kneewall space you can remove the wire from the existing fixture box and install it in a junction box.
If you have an existing drywall ceiling however or you plan to finish out the ceiling with drywall you must make.
Worst can you open the ceiling 5 inches from the wall and work from there.
The access is 14 because it s constrained by the 16 centers of the ceiling joists.