A surgical fastening apparatus and associated method of use is disclosed. Thesurgicalfastening apparatus includes a handle assembly, a central body portionextending from the handleassembly, and a distal head portion including an anvil head assembly. Theanvil head assemblyincludes an anvil head defining an interior recess, an activator plate, adeformable member, and asecuring member. The anvil center rod assembly defines a longitudinal axis andis pivotablyconnected to the anvil head assembly about a pivot axis. The anvil center rodassembly includesa configured to contact the anvil head assembly upon an actuation of thesurgical fasteningapparatus. Upon the actuation of the surgical fastening apparatus, thedeformable member isconfigured to deform such that the activator plate is advanced distally intothe interior recess tofacilitate the anvil head pivoting about the pivot axis.
