A bipolar endoscopic forceps for sealing tissue, comprising: first and second jaw members (80, 82) pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, the jaw members relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween with a predetermined clamping force, the jaw members each including a tissue sealing surface; a drive rod assembly adapted for connecting the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the first jaw member has a first electrical potential and the second jaw member has a second electrical potential and the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through the tissue held therebetween; a handle attached to the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of the first and second jaw members between the first and second positions; wherein the drive rod assembly includes an outer tube and an elongated drive rod, wherein the elongated drive rod conducts a second electrical potential to one of the jaw members and the outer tube, which is electrically insulated from the elongated drive rod, is for conducting a first electrical potential to the other of the jaw members, characterized in that it further comprises: at least one stop member made from an insulation material attached to at least one of the tissue sealing surfaces of the jaw members for controlling the distance between opposing sealing surfaces of the jaw members. first and second jaw members (80, 82) pivotally attached in opposing relation relative to one another, the jaw members relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second clamping position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween with a predetermined clamping force, the jaw members each including a tissue sealing surface; a drive rod assembly adapted for connecting the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the first jaw member has a first electrical potential and the second jaw member has a second electrical potential and the jaw members are capable of conducting bipolar energy through the tissue held therebetween; a handle attached to the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of the first and second jaw members between the first and second positions; wherein the drive rod assembly includes an outer tube and an elongated drive rod, wherein the elongated drive rod conducts a second electrical potential to one of the jaw members and the outer tube, which is electrically insulated from the elongated drive rod, is for conducting a first electrical potential to the other of the jaw members, characterized in that it further comprises: at least one stop member made from an insulation material attached to at least one of the tissue sealing surfaces of the jaw members for controlling the distance between opposing sealing surfaces of the jaw members. at least one stop member made from an insulation material attached to at least one of the tissue sealing surfaces of the jaw members for controlling the distance between opposing sealing surfaces of the jaw members.