AvlNode<E> newTop = pred();
        // newTop is the maximum node in my left subtree
        newTop.left = left.removeMax(newTop);
        newTop.right = right;
        newTop.distinctElements = distinctElements - 1;
        newTop.totalCount = totalCount - oldElemCount;
        return newTop.rebalance();
      } else {
        AvlNode<E> newTop = succ();