Removing just the lower leaves will result in smaller bud than normal. The key to this technique is to end up with all growing tips in the right location, as close to the top as possible. Any branch that you think will not make it to that sweet spot should be removed, this does 2 things pushes the growing tips upwards and allows the plant to concentrate on the shoots that are left. These plants are genetically setup to produce x amount of product and the plant does not care if its in mini buds or one big ass cola. Now that that is said there is always 2 sides to the coin but if done correctly you will be left with high quality and you should be able to increase your yield at the same time.