Objective: To evaluate the effect of refrigeration in the apoptosis and viability of the lipoaspirate in the first 2 h after harvesting. Methods: 20 consecutive patients who underwent liposuction from the abdomen for esthetic reasons were included. 5 ml of fat were obtained and processed for study. The viability was obtained using trypan blue. Apoptosis was determined using TUNEL assay. Results: All patients were female with a median age of 36.5 (21-67) years. On regard of the viability, at time 0, the viability in the control group was 59.08 ± 24% and 60.96 ± 22% in the refrigeration group. At 60 min, the values were 50.82 ± 21% versus 55 ± 32.6% (p = 0.74) and a 120 min, 42.69 ± 20.85% and 50.33 ± 21% respectively. On regard of apoptosis, the percentage of apoptotic cells at time 0 was 37.87 ± 9.7% for the control group and 34.28 ± 9.74% for refrigerated samples. At 60 min 51.11 ± 8.64% versus 45.94 ± 9.15% and at 120 min, 62.97 ± 13.33% versus 55.81 ± 9.45% respectively. Conclusions: Refrigerating the lipoaspirate at 4 °C decreased the mortality and apoptosis of the adipocytes in <10% within the first 2 h from harvesting.