An apparatus comprising: (a) a body ; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly has a distal end; (c) a stapling head assembly located at the distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the stapling head assembly comprises: (i) a deck member , wherein the deck member comprises: (A) a first deck surface , wherein the first deck surface is flat, (B) a second deck surface , wherein the second deck surface is recessed relative to the first deck surface, (C) an outer annular array of staple openings formed through the first and second deck surfaces, (D) an inner annular array of staple openings formed through the first and second deck surfaces, and (E) a plurality of stand-off features extending distally from the second deck surface, (ii) a plurality of staples , and (iii) a driver operable to drive the staples through the staple openings; and (d) an anvil , wherein the anvil is operable to compress tissue against the deck surfaces, wherein the deck member defines a first angular region and a second angular region , wherein the first deck surface extends along only the first angular region, wherein the second deck surface extends along only the second angular region. (a) a body ; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly has a distal end; (c) a stapling head assembly located at the distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the stapling head assembly comprises: (i) a deck member , wherein the deck member comprises: (A) a first deck surface , wherein the first deck surface is flat, (B) a second deck surface , wherein the second deck surface is recessed relative to the first deck surface, (C) an outer annular array of staple openings formed through the first and second deck surfaces, (D) an inner annular array of staple openings formed through the first and second deck surfaces, and (E) a plurality of stand-off features extending distally from the second deck surface, (ii) a plurality of staples , and (iii) a driver operable to drive the staples through the staple openings; and (i) a deck member , wherein the deck member comprises: (A) a first deck surface , wherein the first deck surface is flat, (B) a second deck surface , wherein the second deck surface is recessed relative to the first deck surface, (C) an outer annular array of staple openings formed through the first and second deck surfaces, (D) an inner annular array of staple openings formed through the first and second deck surfaces, and (E) a plurality of stand-off features extending distally from the second deck surface, (A) a first deck surface , wherein the first deck surface is flat, (B) a second deck surface , wherein the second deck surface is recessed relative to the first deck surface, (C) an outer annular array of staple openings formed through the first and second deck surfaces, (D) an inner annular array of staple openings formed through the first and second deck surfaces, and (E) a plurality of stand-off features extending distally from the second deck surface, (ii) a plurality of staples , and (iii) a driver operable to drive the staples through the staple openings; and (d) an anvil , wherein the anvil is operable to compress tissue against the deck surfaces, <EOS>