An instrument includes a body, a shaft extending from the body and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes opposing jaws, a staple cartridge, and a placement tip. At least one of the first and second jaws is movable relative to the other of the first and second jaws between an open position and a closed position. The staple cartridge is removably coupled with the second jaw. The placement tip is located at a distal end of one of the opposing jaws. The placement tip includes proximal and distal portions. The distal portion has a distal cross-sectional thickness along a transverse cross-section that is greater than a proximal cross-sectional thickness of the proximal portion along the transverse cross-section.
