A surgical stapler for visually indicating to a user the stage of operation of the stapler. The surgical stapler includes a body, a stapling assembly positioned on a distal end of the body including a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly, and a thrust bar slidably disposed within the body. The thrust bar is configured to advance distally from a retracted position to a first advanced position during approximation of the cartridge assembly towards the anvil assembly and advance further to a second advanced position to cause the release of staples from the cartridge assembly. An indicator member is connected to the thrust bar and configured to provide visual indication to a user upon complete approximation of the cartridge assembly and upon release of staples from the cartridge assembly.