A method of performing a surgical anastomosis between a distal and proximal tissue section including providing a surgical stapling device having a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly, a pusher disposed in movable relation to the anvil assembly between retracted and extended positions, the pusher including an inner wall and a cavity disposed radially inwardly of the inner wall of the pusher. The steps include placing the anvil assembly at least partially within a distal section of tissue, placing the shell assembly at least partially within a proximal section of tissue, and approximating the anvil assembly and the shell assembly such that portions of the distal section of tissue including a first row of staples and portions of the proximal section of tissue including a second row of staples move into the cavity.
