Experts: Gov. Chris Christie dropped as much as 86 pounds

Has New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie lost a substantial amount of weight?

Two weight experts told news site Politico that images of the Garden State governor clearly show what would appear to be a slimmer Christie in the last few months compared to the former U.S. Attorney who first appeared on the national stage in 2009.

The Washington, D.C. political insider site asked the two doctors after an exchange between a constituent and Christie at a town hall meeting last week. A woman at the Ocean County forum reportedly told Christie that he looked "fantastic."

As if to confirm his weight loss, Christie responded that his wife has been urging him to buy new suits.

The two doctors polled by Politico told the site that Christie appears to have shed as many as 86 pounds, going from what he estimated as a body mass index of 45, or roughly 322 pounds, in 2011 to a body mass index of 33, or 236 pounds, now.

Both based their estimates on photographs of Christie.

Last May, Christie revealed that he secretly underwent lap-band surgery in February 2013, a procedure meant to prompt weight loss. But in the year since he publicly acknowledged the operation, he has not provided additional details about his weight. In October, his cardiologist wrote in a letter released publicly that Christie watches histhrough "a healthy diet and regular cardiovascular exercise regimen."

A message left for Christie's spokesman was not immediately returned.