A survey is presented that contradicts the often quoted teleologic argument that restricted mobility is the limiting factor in weight reduction in overweight patients needing a total hip arthroplasty. One hundred fifty patients were reviewed at 1 year after arthroplasty. All reported improved mobility, but there was no evidence of a trend toward weight loss. More complications with overweight patients were observed. This is useful information in encouraging overweight people to lose weight prior to hip arthroplasty, and could be extrapolated to other procedures.