Christie: Weight Loss Surgery “Intensely Personal” [VIDEO]

Governor Chris Christie said that his decision to undergo lap-band surgery to lose weight was no one's business and is "intensely personal."

Speaking at the a ground breaking ceremony at the TEAL Center in Newark, a slightly annoyed Christie repeated many of the things he told the New York Post about the surgery including the fact that it was for his well being and not a presidential run. He repeatedly stressed that the surgery is no one's business but his.

"I did this for myself and my children," Christie told reporters who had to shout questions over passing fire engines for a time. "I tried a whole bunch of other things, they hadn't worked, this was an opportunity to try something different. This is about being healthier for the rest of your life."

It was around his birthday when he began to consider the lap-band surgery and was planning to have it done after the November presidential election but Superstorm Sandy delayed those plans.

He said no one in his family asked him to go to lose weight but it was "their presence" that got him thinking. "I am in the father business," he said of his 4 children, two of which are still in elementary school. "I hope to be in the grandfather business too," he added.

Christie confirmed that the subject of weight loss came up during a conversation with Jets coach Rex Ryan who underwent similar surgery in 2012 and "strongly urged" the Governor to do the same.

Christie says he would not lie about the surgery if asked and was able to keep it a secret for 12 weeks until a New York Post reporter called last night.

The Governor declined to put a dollar figure on the cost of the surgery except to say it was covered by his state health insurance.

He says did not notify Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno about the surgery and pointed out that he was asleep for 40 minutes on the long holiday weekend. Christie said it hurt for a while afterwards but so far he is fine and does not feel any differently. “I’m at the beginning stages of this thing and no I don’t feel markedly differently physically”

He says there has been no big difference in his habits except that he eating less than he "typically" used to.

Christie also doesn't want to be a role model to anyone except his children about losing weight and describes his decision as  "intensely personal." He says he will not be writing a book or doing a "victory dance" overr any weight loss.

Visit To Seaside Heights

Although Christie says he was not going to reveal his surgery until he was asked, he made an unannounced trip to Seaside Heights to talk to NBC's Brian Williams for Rock Center.

As they sat in front of  the Beachcomber on the Seaside Heights boardwalk, Christie told Williams in an interview to air Friday night that his donut-eating appearance with David Letterman was his "swan song." Letterman was unaware but he decided to have some fun with his weight jokes one last time.

He talked about consulting with Rex Ryan and said the biggest change for him is that "I'm just not that hungry anymore."

The Ocean County Signal reports the interview, which will air Friday, May 17,  will focus on Sandy recovery along the Shore and that they walked and talked in Ortley Beach and Mantoloking.

The Associated Press contributed to this report