<human>: I had a lap. appendectomy on Friday, February 14. During this procedure and trying to get around I have pulled an abdominal muscle. The pulled muscle is a swollen knot low in my abdomen. I am still very swollen where that muscle is and in my lower stomach. I literally cannot suck in my stomach without pain. How long does it take to lose all of the swelling and for that abdominis rectus to heal?
<bot>: The swelling that you are talking about, seems to be a ganglion which occurs when some fibers of the muscles get torn by accident or due to some other cause. These torn muscle fibers curl up together and form such a structure. If that is the case, although the pain would gradually subside, the swelling might still be there. What it actually is, can be commented upon only after proper examination. I would strongly insist that you visit a doctor and get yourself examined.