Chaz Bono is saving up to get his bottom-half surgery done

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Chaz Bono, who has been relatively quiet about whether he had penis surgery in the process of changing from female to male, is finally speaking up about saving for that procedure.

It’s another of many recent life changes for the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ veteran, who broke off his engagement to Jennifer Elia in December after six years of dating, first as a lesbian couple, then as man and woman.

‘I was in a fairly typical heterosexual relationship ... ,’ he told Rolling Stone. ‘Anyway, I think Jen wished I wouldn’t get the bottom done, but she understood my need to.’ (Elia had described herself as bisexual.)

After going through the transgender process, Bono -- born Chastity, to Cher and Sonny Bono -- legally became a man in May 2010.

The surgical decision is more complex than some might think: Bono has to choose between a procedure that builds from scratch, or one that works with what’s there -- a body part that’s already enlarged thanks to male hormones. Then there are other options; Bono likened it to shopping for a car. For example, he told the mag, he’d like to be able to stand up to urinate, because sitting down in a men’s room can be a pretty gross experience. And that particular feature would need to be built in.

‘You have to understand, though, for me the life transformation has already happened.’

And what’s the MSRP that Bono’s saving up to cover?

‘The doctor I want to use is in Belgrade. It’s going to be a little cheaper there. Probably $25,000, maybe $45,000, I really don’t know.’

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-- Christie D’Zurilla
Twitter.com/dzurillaville