Its unusual for a compressor to fail and the system to be full of refrigerant... in fact, I've never heard of it happening.. 95% of what I've heard about (I'm not a mechanic, just learned a whole lot from other sources on the subject and from experience with the SC) A/C compressors failing is due to leaks or improper repair. I've just never heard of one wearing itself down.
If indeed the system is full, and only problem is a weak compressor, then thats what I would have replaced.. You shouldn't need a new condenser or high pressure line, or liquid line although a new accumulator would be a good idea along with new O rings. I'd be curious about the static and running pressures. My fully charged r134a pressure is around 75psi and running pressures are around 290/28 on a 91 degree day.
As for what happens to a compressor, there are 5 double ended pistons, arranged in a circle, which slide back and forth through 5 double ended cylinders. There are teflon rings/bands which seal the pistons to the cylinders much like a engine piston. When one of those bands wears out or breaks, then the compressor weakens; it stilll has 9 working cylinders. The pieces of the band can go a couple of places, but most of the time, they end up jammed in the end of the cylinder that they belong to. It that happens, then that debris is contained in the compressor and the condenser is spared. However, if left untended, the cylinder will start to rub metal-to-metal and grind aluminum bits mixed with a bit or residual hot oil out and coat stuff and clog the Orifice tube.
This is why, for most Ford cars and some GMs, shops replace most of the A/C under the hood. Its quicker to fix and for them, there is less risk that something else which was weakened or broken will break later and the customer comes back mad. The only way to really know is to dissassemble the compressor and account for the pieces.. I don't know any shop anywhere which is willing to do that as time is money.
So, what I would do if I were you is: 1. Don't run the A/C 2. Have a 2nd test done and readings given to you 3. If they say that the compressor is weak, have the compressor, liquid line, and accumulator (aka drier) replaced; have the remaining lines and condenser flushed and reused. They will tell you that "you should replace the condenser", but with an unsiezed weak compressor, a flush should work just fine.
Good luck with this.