Adhesion scar tissue forms within a week or two of surgery, so it has pretty much been there from the beginning. The adhesions can soften and stretch over time, but they are permanent unless they are cut or snap lose from a fall or sudden movement. There are some physical therapists/massage therapists who will work the abdomen to release adhesions.
Your intestines are in constant motion, so they really don't look like those diagrams or models of the internal organs, those are just general representations. Adhesions prevent the intestines from moving freely, as intended.
Things can go along smoothly for weeks, months, years, or decades and out of the blue, your gut zigs against an adhesion when it should have zagged, and you wind up kinked and obstructed. Fickle finger of fate.
Some people form more adhesions than others, and they think that may be a genetic thing. The more abdominal surgery you've had, the more adhesions you'll have. Also, if you had peritonitis, you would have way more adhesions than others. Another interesting thing is that some people can be loaded with adhesions and never have problems, while some with just a few adhesions have chronic pain and recurrent obstructions. I imagine that it is the location of the offending adhesions that is key, along with your own unique anatomy that either adapts or not.
Hope that explains it.
Jan
