Quick one, first proper grow

I wouldn't remove any leaves, your plant needs every healthy green leaf she has to be able to produce the energy she needs to grow her biggest and best flowers. Less leaves = less energy production potential = less growth. Those "bud sites" that you think are covered, are relying on those very leaves to make the energy she needs to be able to grow those "bud sites". Within a few days those buds will grow out from under those leaves anyhow, making the removal of the leaves needless. With future grows, don't be afraid of tying the branches even further down, getting them quite horizontal even, this will help with light penetration and can lead to an improved yield. Cheers, Organoman. (and very much an anti defoliation freak!)