The stent delivery system includes first and second elongate shafts, each of said shafts including a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The second elongate shaft is longitudinally movable relative to the first elongate shaft. The stent delivery system also includes a bifurcated stent having a first arm positioned on the first elongate shaft and a second arm positioned on the second elongate shaft and a main body position on the first and second elongate shafts. A proximal constraining member and first and second distal constraining member releasably connected to the stent and having a first position and a second position are also included. The said constraining members cooperatively apply longitudinal tensile force to at least a portion of the stent with the proximal and first and second distal constraining members each in the first position.