Can sit-ups and crunches cause intestinal kinks or bowel obstructions

I posted this on the main message board and only got one response.  Maybe someone who is several years out will give me some insight.  Have any of you tried crunches post op?  I have no idea whether any type of exercise can cause bowel obstructions, kinks or internal hernias.  I'm 18 months out with no complications.  I've lost 125 pounds.  I'd like to try crunches to tone up my middle, but I don't want to borrow trouble.  I've read here that it is around this time 18- 2 years out where people start noticing problems with bowel obstructions/kinks.  So are stomach exercises ok, ever.  Should I wait another year...or can I safely start now. For the most part my stomach popped back pretty good, so I don't want a tummy tuck, but would like to tighten up. Thanks, relief11

Hmmm, I've  never heard of crunches causing bowel obstructions before. I  do crunches all the time as a regular part of my workout routine with no problems and I'm almost 3yrs out. Good Luck!

I have been doing stomach crunches, twists, bends, lunges etc...since 4 weeks post op with no problems...I say go for it! You could also ask your question on the exercise board if you want a more definitative/professional answer. Trish

This website is a Godsend.  I have received such valuable information and reassurances since before my surgery and now 18 months out.  Thank you both for your replies.

I'm almost 20 months out and have been body building for over a year.  My normal routine includes 200+ ab crunches with 125 lbs on the machine 3 times a week plus 150 on the ball 3 times a week.  I haven't had any problems.  My plastic surgeon says my stomach is gonna be AWESOME once I have the extra skin removed.

Thank you...sounds like my fears were unnecessary.

From 12 months post-RNY until the week before my plastic surgery, I did 200 crunches a day with 40 lbs. of weight on my shoulders. No bowel obstruction here.

Then there is my story...........I had surgery 11/04 and have been working out ever since. I had a TT in 3/05. I was told not to do core exercises (ab work) for 6 months after surgery. I followed the rules and then jumped back into a 5 day workout plan with lots of ab work!! This past spring I started to have major abdominal muscle cramps/spasms. They would occur during my pilates class or even during simple moves such as leaning back in a chair. My doctor said I had a hernia so he sent me to a surgeon however my CT scan didn't show a hernia although both doctors could have sworn that they felt one...a big one. They referred me back to my weight loss surgeon who told me I tore a muscle so I should stop working out and see if it goes away. It did for a few months and now it is back. I currenty under went a orthopedic foot  surgery and I was wheeling my wheel chair and Darn it the cramps are back!! I have to just wait out the cramps and believe me they are scary. Something is going on. I can't believe I am almost 3 year out and I am having problems. I have been told internal hernias can't be dedected by CT scans so I will caliing my WL surgeon again and try to find out what is going on. I have another foot surgery in November so I am too eager to have another surgery but I can't live like this!! I think it is perfectly fine to do ab work after surgery and I really don't know why so many of us have problems a few years out but I don't think it's from exercise. You are lucky you don't need a tummy tuck that is awesome!!!