A surgical stapling device comprising: a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a firing trigger, the stationary handle defining a window ; a central body extending distally from the handle assembly; a cartridge assembly supported on a distal end of the central body; an anvil assembly ; an approximation mechanism including a longitudinally movable drive screw , the drive screw being operatively connected to the anvil assembly such that longitudinal movement of the drive screw between advanced and retracted positions effects movement of the anvil assembly in relation to the cartridge assembly between spaced and approximated positions, the drive screw supporting an abutment; and a visual indicator mechanism including an indicator cover , an indicator and an indicator plate , the indicator cover being supported on the stationary handle above the window and defining a plurality of spaced slots (76a-c), the indicator being positioned beneath the indicator cover adjacent the window, the indicator supporting indicia , and the indicator plate movable from an advanced position to a retracted position within the stationary handle, the indicator plate supporting a stop member , and having a distal end connected to the indicator, wherein the stop member is positioned to engage the abutment such that movement of the drive screw between the advanced and retracted positions effects movement of the indicator within the indicator cover between first and second positions, wherein the indicia are dimensioned and configured such that movement of the indicator within the indicator cover as the indicator plate is moved from the advanced position to the retracted position causes the indicia to become sequentially visible within the plurality of slots. a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a firing trigger, the stationary handle defining a window ; a central body extending distally from the handle assembly; a cartridge assembly supported on a distal end of the central body; an anvil assembly ; an approximation mechanism including a longitudinally movable drive screw , the drive screw being operatively connected to the anvil assembly such that longitudinal movement of the drive screw between advanced and retracted positions effects movement of the anvil assembly in relation to the cartridge assembly between spaced and approximated positions, the drive screw supporting an abutment; and a visual indicator mechanism including an indicator cover , an indicator and an indicator plate , the indicator cover being supported on the stationary handle above the window and defining a plurality of spaced slots (76a-c), the indicator being positioned beneath the indicator cover adjacent the window, the indicator supporting indicia , and the indicator plate movable from an advanced position to a retracted position within the stationary handle, the indicator plate supporting a stop member , and having a distal end connected to the indicator, wherein the stop member is positioned to engage the abutment such that movement of the drive screw between the advanced and retracted positions effects movement of the indicator within the indicator cover between first and second positions, wherein the indicia are dimensioned and configured such that movement of the indicator within the indicator cover as the indicator plate is moved from the advanced position to the retracted position causes the indicia to become sequentially visible within the plurality of slots. <EOS>