It is not possible to carry out a DIEP on women who, due to prior surgery in the abdominal area, have suffered vascularisation damage in that area. This is uncommon since the most common abdominal surgeries (appendectomy, removal of the gallbladder, hysterectomy and caesarean section) do not usually compromise the vascular system. There is another circumstance that will delay the operation without constituting in itself a counter-indication: the need to quit smoking for at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to the intervention.