Devorah,
In all my years of experience in maternity, my own surgeries and as a
lactation consultant I have learned on very important truth: The human body
is a wonderful  thing. It's powers of healing and regeneration have never
ceased to amaze me. Things can and do grow back and function is returned.
There are no absolutes in breast reduction or augmentation. I always tell
mothers *Give it a try and see what happens.*

Remember there are people who have had vasectomies or tubal ligations who
suddenly turned up pregnant. A friend of mine had a tubal, her husband a
vasectomy. Much to their surprise and delight hey turned up pregnant.
 Astonished medical professionals couldn't understand how that happened.
I have even cared for a woman who like the mother you describe had pounds of
breast tissue removed while the nipple and areola sat on a table to the side,
who I treated for OVERSUPPLY.

Of course this mother could totally nurse. I would however follow the baby
with frequent weight checks and have mother keep track of wet diapers and
stools. If the amount of stooling decreases or  if the stool becomes dry and
the number of wet diapers decreases, she should bring the baby  in as soon as
possible for a weight check and an observation of the full feeding. Watch and
listen for swallowing. If the baby doesn't seem to be growing then worry
about supplementing. If she supplements now she may reduce her potential for
a good milk supply.

Never pass sentence without looking at all the possibilities.

Stepping down off the philosophical soap box
Marie Davis, RN, IBCLC