A microwave forceps for sealing tissue, comprising: at least one shaft member; an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the at least one shaft member, the end effector assembly including opposing first and second jaw members (310,320) movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, wherein the first jaw member includes a first sealing surface and the second jaw member includes a second sealing surface, characterized in that: a first microwave antenna (302a,302b) is disposed on said first sealing surface, the first microwave antenna being adapted for coupling to a first pole of a source of microwave energy configured to output microwave energy at a frequency of from 300 MHz to 10,000 MHz, said first jaw member further comprising a first shielding member having a first metallic plate and a first dielectric portion formed from ceramic dielectric material disposed between the first metallic plate and the first sealing surface; and a second microwave antenna (302c,302d) is disposed on the second sealing surface, the second microwave antenna being adapted for coupling to a second pole of said source of microwave energy,said second jaw member further comprising a second shielding member having a second metallic plate and a second dielectric portion formed from ceramic dielectric material disposed between the second metallic plate and the second sealing surface. at least one shaft member; an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the at least one shaft member, the end effector assembly including opposing first and second jaw members (310,320) movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, wherein the first jaw member includes a first sealing surface and the second jaw member includes a second sealing surface, characterized in that: a first microwave antenna (302a,302b) is disposed on said first sealing surface, the first microwave antenna being adapted for coupling to a first pole of a source of microwave energy configured to output microwave energy at a frequency of from 300 MHz to 10,000 MHz, said first jaw member further comprising a first shielding member having a first metallic plate and a first dielectric portion formed from ceramic dielectric material disposed between the first metallic plate and the first sealing surface; and a second microwave antenna (302c,302d) is disposed on the second sealing surface, the second microwave antenna being adapted for coupling to a second pole of said source of microwave energy,said second jaw member further comprising a second shielding member having a second metallic plate and a second dielectric portion formed from ceramic dielectric material disposed between the second metallic plate and the second sealing surface. a first microwave antenna (302a,302b) is disposed on said first sealing surface, the first microwave antenna being adapted for coupling to a first pole of a source of microwave energy configured to output microwave energy at a frequency of from 300 MHz to 10,000 MHz, said first jaw member further comprising a first shielding member having a first metallic plate and a first dielectric portion formed from ceramic dielectric material disposed between the first metallic plate and the first sealing surface; and a second microwave antenna (302c,302d) is disposed on the second sealing surface, the second microwave antenna being adapted for coupling to a second pole of said source of microwave energy,said second jaw member further comprising a second shielding member having a second metallic plate and a second dielectric portion formed from ceramic dielectric material disposed between the second metallic plate and the second sealing surface.