An apparatus for determining an optimal amount of tissue compression for applying a surgical element to tissue is disclosed. The apparatus includes a device for compressing tissue which supports a measuring device adapted to detect a tissue parameter upon the compression of tissue. The measuring device communicates with an indicator. Upon compressing tissue, when the measuring device determines that the compressed tissue parameter reaches a predetermined threshold, the measuring device sends a signal to the indicator such that the indicator provides an indication to a surgeon that the threshold has been reached. The measuring device may include a load cell and the tissue parameter may be a viscoelastic reactive force of the tissue per unit time.
