If this is the classic "anchor" surgery, I don't know why this baby is doing
as well as it sounds.  During this surgery, the nipple is completely removed
and realigned in a perkier position.  All the nerves, ducts, and blood supply
are severed.  There's an obvious vertical scar, and then across the bottom of
the breast the scar is hidden in the fold.  I wonder how many ducts were lost
during surgery.  I fail to see how "function" can be preserved.

Do you think it's possible for this mother to be having phantom pain?  Is the
pain just along the suture lines?  Are the nipples painful, scabby and
blistered?  I think she needs to be seen.  A BabyWeigh scale would give you
excellent information about milk transfer.  I'd also recommend a
hospital-grade electric pump to this mom to assess production and to let her
know that it's the scars, not the baby, that's causing the pain.  It's a
large dose of medication keeping this mom comfortable.  Is it possible
something else is going on with this mom medically?

My last paranoid thought:  Is it possible some of her supportive family and
friends are supplementing?  It wouldn't be the first time.

Elizabeth Puzar, IBCLC