VIDEO: First Look - Gov Christie Talks Weight Loss Surgery w/ NBC's Brian Williams

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In an exclusive television interview today, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie opened up to NBC's BrIan Williams about his decision to undergo lap-band weight reduction surgery shortly after his 50th birthday.

Williams' extended interview with Gov. Christie about his political future and the Jersey Shore's recovery in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy will air this Friday, May 10, on "Rock Center with BrIan Williams" (10pm/9C). Get a first look below!

A partial transcript from the NBC interview follows:

BrIan Williams LIVE INTRO: The Republican Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie has undergone lap-band weight reduction surgery. The story broke in this morning's New York Post.. its not known when the Governor was planning to say something himself, but there has been a noticeable reduction in his weight just in recent days.

Today we sat down for an exclusive interview with the Governor alongside the newly re-built boardwalk in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, mostly to talk about the Sandy recovery - and it turns out Sandy forced a delay in his surgery until President's weekend of this year, when he checked himself into the hospital on a Saturday morning under an assumed name.

Chris Christie: Last fall I was turning 50 and it really was a moment of reflection for me. And so I really just Felt like for Mary Pat and for the kids that I needed to take a more- a more significant step to try to get my weight under control so that I could have a really active next half of my life.

BrIan Williams ON TAPE: The Governor sought the advice of Dr. George Fielding at the NYU school of medicine in New York, a pioneer in the field of weight-loss surgery.

Chris Christie: I said, "Well, do I really think I need this?" And he said to me, "If you came in here with cancer and I told you that I had a 40-minute surgery that'd give you a 90% chance of cure- would you sign up?" And it just really crystallized it for me. And I said, "Yeah, I would." And he said, "Well, then why wouldn't you do that to cure obesity?"

BrIan Williams ON TAPE: The Governor said he also consulted Rex Ryan - the New York Jets head coach who had successful lap-band surgery himself.

BrIan Williams: Rex Ryan has a great phrase that a lot of people who've been through the surgery use, "Listen to the band." And that's what's going to- you're just starting out, but that's what's going to guide you?

Chris Christie: Oh listen, there's no question. And sometimes, whether you want to listen to the band or not, it forces you to listen. And- but the biggest thing about it for me has been I'm just not very hungry anymore, and that's a huge change for me.

BrIan Williams: And this is tough here 'cause this is our turf.

Chris Christie: Well, yeah, you know, the sausage and peppers have always been a problem.

BrIan Williams: Yeah, oh boy.

Chris Christie: But you know, I don't feel, like, every day like I have a significant amount of hunger. And that really helps.

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