Chris Christie Weight Loss Surgery: New Jersey Governor Underwent Secret Procedure In February

Governor Chris Christie, R-N.J. admitted to the New York Post on Tuesday that he underwent lap band surgery in February. "This is about turning 50 (last September) and looking at my children and wanting to be there for them," the portly, say-it-like-it-is Garden State executive said.

Christie's official weight, only likely known to himself and his physician, is estimated to be 300 to 350 pounds, the Post reported. The Republican reportedly had Dr. George Fielding from New York University Medical Center's Weight Management Program come to him for checkups leading up to the surgery, in order to keep the weight loss procedure a secret as much as possible.

Fielding reportedly visited Christie's home in Mendham, N.J., a small town between Morristown and Washington, N.J., a number of times before the governor finally went to a medical facility to have a lap band installed in his stomach. The device will constrict his stomach so he will feel full from a meal earlier than he would without the band. The installation of the band in turn is aimed to reduce Christie's food intake, helping him lose weight.

Some observers have said the move is to make Christie, who has allies and opponents in both parties, more telegenic and in better shape for a possible presidential run in 2016.The Washington Post reported that Christie affirmed once again that the lap band surgery to reduce his figure was geared toward his family "It was [about] looking at [my wife] Mary Pat and the kids an going 'I have to do this for them'."

However, former Gov. Mike Huckabee, R-Ark., lost an estimated 100 pounds prior to his unsuccessful 2008 presidential run, said to be geared toward the contest. Also, shortly after becoming a public fixture in the National Football League; being named coach of the New York Jets in 2009; Rex Ryan lost an estimated 100 pounds in 2010, settling in around 250 pounds. Ryan has earned his fair share of press coverage since due to his well-documented attitude and similarly straight-talking persona.

Christie's weight loss brings back memories of an infamous ad by then-Governor Jon S. Corzine, D-N.J., attacking Christie in-part using Christie's heft against him. Corzine's campaign ad commented on Christie's alleged ethics issues regarding the aftermath of what was reported by Corzine's campaign as a wrong-way motor vehicle accident. The narrator of Corzine's ad "If" said Christie "threw his weight around" in order to be absolved from the allegations. Corzine, a former Goldman Sachs executive, later lost his reelection bid to the popular Republican. He was most recently embroiled in allegations that, as CEO of MF Global, he allegedly misused customer funds.

Chris Christie has not yet decided whether he will indeed run in 2016.