A surgical stapler comprising: a) a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a trigger configured to manipulate a cam member through an actuating stroke; b) an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis; c) a staple cartridge (21, 132) supported adjacent the distal end of the elongated body and containing a plurality of staples; d) an anvil pivotally mounted in relation to the cartridge adjacent the distal end of the elongated body, the anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon and being mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the cartridge between an open position having a distal end spaced from the staple cartridge and a closed position in close cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge; e) an actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the actuation sled being movable to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge; f) a drive assembly including a body having a working end and a cam member supported on the working end, the cam member being positioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in the closed position during firing of the stapler, the pivotable handle being operably connected to the drive assembly such that manipulation of the trigger effects translation of the cam member relative to the anvil to move the anvil between the open position and the closed position; g) a channel for supporting the staple cartridge; and h) a controller configured to control the actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the controller delaying movement of the actuation sled to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge for a predetermined time period suitable in length to allow compression of the tissue for the predetermined time period and to allow tissue to settle from a first initial state into a second compressed state when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge. a) a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a trigger configured to manipulate a cam member through an actuating stroke; b) an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis; c) a staple cartridge (21, 132) supported adjacent the distal end of the elongated body and containing a plurality of staples; d) an anvil pivotally mounted in relation to the cartridge adjacent the distal end of the elongated body, the anvil having a fastener forming surface thereon and being mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the cartridge between an open position having a distal end spaced from the staple cartridge and a closed position in close cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge; e) an actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the actuation sled being movable to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge; f) a drive assembly including a body having a working end and a cam member supported on the working end, the cam member being positioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in the closed position during firing of the stapler, the pivotable handle being operably connected to the drive assembly such that manipulation of the trigger effects translation of the cam member relative to the anvil to move the anvil between the open position and the closed position; g) a channel for supporting the staple cartridge; and h) a controller configured to control the actuation sled supported within the cartridge, the controller delaying movement of the actuation sled to urge the plurality of staples from the cartridge for a predetermined time period suitable in length to allow compression of the tissue for the predetermined time period and to allow tissue to settle from a first initial state into a second compressed state when the anvil is in the closed position and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.