for instance, when you become a lich (which SHOULD be a viable PC choice, IMHO), is really hard to get rid of.
This is the primary reason walker in the waste is so good, assuming you use the interpretation that transformation classes do not cause any LA.
Yes, but that's not the point. One of the nice things in D&D is that there USUALLY is always another option. There just isn't one to get rid of LA, at the point when it becomes rather too much compared to what other people get.
Let me reiterate options I've considered or played for dealing with LA:
1) Buyback UA:
Pro: Makes +1 and +2 fairly easy to deal with, if taken at 1st level.
Con: Makes +1 basically a non-issue entirely. Basically with buyback, if you're not taking a +1 Race, you're doing something wrong. Makes higher LA disproportionately difficult to get rid of, even at higher levels.
2) For every level of LA you get a D4 HD, poor BAB, one good save, 2+Int skills
Pro: You get more HP, BAB and skills
Con: You'll never make a real level 20 build before epic. Those HD are poor, ignore Types, and are weird mechanic.
3) Fixed level buyback (every three or four levels)
Pro: You don't get the extreme escalation of higher LA.
Con: Maybe it gets a bit too easy? Up to +6 would be removable pre-epic, if you allow even retroactive buyback
4) Scrap it. Use one of the available monster character systems (which are all homebrew). Scrap monster progression classes, too.
Pro: Freakshow galore
Con: Tends to be rather high-powered, in spite of the fact that builds have few class levels. A ton of abilities CAN make really strong characters. Also, disfavours spellcasters with powerful races, OR makes spellcasting monsters that can advance their casting REALLY strong.
5)Give RHD for LA as per Type
Pro: Gives possibly quite good HD.
Con: VERY disparate RHDs make balancing difficult. Can be rather higher-powered. Can make some of the base classes look pretty bad in comparison. Lots of people don't like RHD. (Not me.)
6) Use partial Gestalt with the Tier System for Classes, putting LA or monster progression within the Tiers, possibly giving RHD for LA, too
Pro: Integrates seamless with the Tier system, and allows playing of monster progressions or level-adjusted races without too many problems.
Con: Lots of work and difficult and/or dubious decisions to be made. How can monster progressions be rated? If I DO give a HD every level, how does that influence the progression? AND if a progression is rated too highly, you won't be able to gestalt it at all, then what happens?
7) Use REAL gestalt, allowing a monster or monster progression on one side.
Pro: Um... fun
Con: Too much work for the DM even making challenges; Makes monstrous full-casters YET stronger.
Overall I like two approaches best:
4) in combination with 5), and 6)! 4+5 is rather more simple, many things can be hand-waved, or decided via rule of thumb. 6 is possibly a bit more balanced, but also a lot of work, and rather harder to hand-wave.