Kegels - to pee or not to pee?

Can someone set me straight on the best method for doing Kegels?  City of Hope's instructions (as well as others I've found on the net) say to always empty your bladder first, then do the 10 reps of 10 seconds each, three times per day.  Here's a link to an example.

http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/cnoteShowLfts.asp?fname=07195&title=KEGEL+EXERCISES+FOR+MEN+&cid=HTHLTH

But I've also read that the exercises should be done while urinating by stopping and starting the flow.  Is that just an adjunct exercise or is that a way of doing Kegels too?

Also, should the exercise contractions be done gently or with everything I've got?  I don't want to overdo it.

Hi ~ PianoMan,   I think you'll find something here that will help you!!!   Kegels!!!   What does your doctor tell you to do?   Obviously there are different opinions…   After understanding that we had to help the new muscle that was going to be in charge of our urinary continence…. We read up on him (sphincter muscle) and found that we can work together!!! The sphincter muscle is so important to retaining urinary continence. Before surgery get this guy in shape…. Like any type of exercise… you can over do it.   But since he’s never had to work before you better get him learning the ropes J   Before surgery: Our urologist said to work the muscle when urinating… the start, stop, hold, start several times during urination .   This strengthens the muscle.   Also, walking stairs is a really good exercise.     After surgery:   We were to still do the kegels when urinating .   This is the only time Buddy does them.   He allows his first urination in the morning to have a nice steady flow!!  Then the rest of the day he does his start / stop / start /stop.   No doubt in our mind that the kegels, walking, and stairs have been instrumental in our continued recovery of urinary continence.  I will tell you this... the sound of the early morning stream is music to my ears.... and the start / stop / start / stop continues to bring a smile to my face.  I put together a little bit of information…. I hope it helps you!     Partial Quote from Jim *Our Biker90 Post-op day 9, past-cath day 3. Still no floods, no leaks and no drips. I threw out the remaining pads and diapers this morning as a gesture of dedication to continence. Doing Kegels as prescribed by the doc. (5 reps of 5 secs on and 5 secs off, 10 times a day, on the hour from 6 am to 4pm) The time of day is mine not his. Did my daily stretching excercises (for arthritis) and my daily walk. It sure feels good to get back to a routine again. I drink lots of water because peeing feels so good. This is a side benefit of getting rid of my oversized, lumpy prostrate. I keep discovering small pleasures that I had taken for granted or overlooked entirely. EXCERPT:…..On page 247 of Dr. Walsh’s book he states: Exercises you can do:   Every time you urinate, do it standing up.   You can’t practice the following exercises, which strengthen the external sphincter and speed up your recovery of urinary control, while you’re sitting down.   Start your stream, and once it’s in full force, stop the stream by contracting the muscles in your buttocks --- not your abdominal muscles, not the muscle “up in front” around the penis.   Tighten your buttocks: imagine you’re trying to hold a quarter between your cheeks.   Hold the urine back for 5 or 10 seconds, and repeat as many times as you can.   Note: Only perform these exercises when you’re urinating; if you keep contracting these muscles throughout the day, you’ll overdo it—the sphincter tires easily—and you’ll end up wetter than you would otherwise.   Previous paragraphs address… things to speed up your urinary control.   One is not using any artificial devices…… and certain high blood pressure medication relaxes this muscle so you may need to check with your doctor.     After the catheter is removed…. Excerpt from Dr. Patrick C. Walsh’s “Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer      > Until your urinary control has returned to an acceptable level, don’t force fluids.     >Once the catheter is out, you’ve got to slow the pace considerably.   Avoid drinking excessive amounts of fluids, and stay away from caffeine in all forms---coffee, tea, even soft drinks.   Caffeine, especially, is a powerful pharmacological agent that increases the frequency and urgency with which you need to urinate.   Also ~ make sure you’re doing your kegels and walking stairs when possible.   Buddy had a great recovery with urinary continence and we attribute it to no caffeine intake.     Obviously ~ everybody's body is different....... so figuring out what's best ~ is trial and error for sure.  Glad we can pull from all the postings and see what fits in our path.     Direct Links to….. Kegel information…   http://www.ucihs.uci.edu/urology/prostate/patient_inst/curpatient.html (UC  Irvine Da Vinci surgery) Dr. Thomas Ahlering   Excerpt from Dr. T. Ahlering website Initiate a regular routine of male kegel exercises .  Kegel exercise strengthens the pelvic floor muscle group which are involved in stemming the flow of urine.  By building them up now, you will speed up your return to continence after surgery.  Also, strengthing the pelvic floor muscles improves orgasmic function, and thus will help you preserve and regain potency.  In the interest of continence and potency, it is essential you begin a consistent regiment as soon as possible and continue to maintain it faithfully after surgery.   http://www.ucihs.uci.edu/urology/prostate/patient_inst/kegel.html   (Male Kegels)   Good Luck!!   Kay   Miyoko / Member     Kegel Help?   Thread by KW / Member (direct link ~ just click on the title!   Reminder to click on the REFRESH icon once there)