I have often heard that if you want to lose weight and do it naturally and effectively that you should shoot for a goal that is no more than losing 1 - 2 pounds per week. I have only been on one diet in my life and that was after my second child was born and I took the approach of 1 - 2 pounds per week and it was amazing how fast the weight came off. I like the idea of lap banding surgery for those with a major weight problem because it does not seem invasive and their results claim a healthy and moderate weight loss.