diff --git a/xilem/src/view/button.rs b/xilem/src/view/button.rs
index f0df8ddb4..85a27ef9e 100644
--- a/xilem/src/view/button.rs
+++ b/xilem/src/view/button.rs
@@ -2,10 +2,8 @@
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 
 use crate::{core::View, Pod};
-use masonry::{
-    widget::{self, WidgetMut},
-    ArcStr, WidgetPod,
-};
+use masonry::{widget, ArcStr, WidgetPod};
+use xilem_core::ViewElement;
 
 use crate::{MessageResult, ViewCtx, ViewId};
 
@@ -37,17 +35,18 @@ where
         })
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         _: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut ViewCtx,
-        mut element: WidgetMut<widget::Button>,
-    ) {
+        mut element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         if prev.label != self.label {
             element.set_text(self.label.clone());
             ctx.mark_changed();
         }
+        element
     }
 
     fn teardown(
diff --git a/xilem/src/view/checkbox.rs b/xilem/src/view/checkbox.rs
index ecbfcdce5..1257862eb 100644
--- a/xilem/src/view/checkbox.rs
+++ b/xilem/src/view/checkbox.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use masonry::{
     widget::{self, WidgetMut},
     ArcStr, WidgetPod,
 };
+use xilem_core::ViewElement;
 
 use crate::{MessageResult, Pod, View, ViewCtx, ViewId};
 
@@ -46,13 +47,13 @@ where
         })
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         (): &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut ViewCtx,
-        mut element: WidgetMut<'_, widget::Checkbox>,
-    ) {
+        mut element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         if prev.label != self.label {
             element.set_text(self.label.clone());
             ctx.mark_changed();
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ where
             element.set_checked(self.checked);
             ctx.mark_changed();
         }
+        element
     }
 
     fn teardown(
diff --git a/xilem/src/view/flex.rs b/xilem/src/view/flex.rs
index fe66f2681..b92f9117b 100644
--- a/xilem/src/view/flex.rs
+++ b/xilem/src/view/flex.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use masonry::{
     widget::{self, Axis, CrossAxisAlignment, MainAxisAlignment, WidgetMut},
     Widget, WidgetPod,
 };
-use xilem_core::{AppendVec, ElementSplice, View, ViewSequence};
+use xilem_core::{AppendVec, ElementSplice, View, ViewElement, ViewSequence};
 
 use crate::{Pod, ViewCtx};
 
@@ -75,13 +75,13 @@ where
         (WidgetPod::new(widget).into(), seq_state)
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut ViewCtx,
-        mut element: WidgetMut<widget::Flex>,
-    ) {
+        mut element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         if prev.axis != self.axis {
             element.set_direction(self.axis);
             ctx.mark_changed();
@@ -102,24 +102,25 @@ where
         let mut splice = FlexSplice {
             // Skip the initial spacer which is always present
             ix: 1,
-            element,
+            element: &mut element,
             scratch: AppendVec::default(),
         };
         self.sequence
             .seq_rebuild(&prev.sequence, view_state, ctx, &mut splice);
         debug_assert!(splice.scratch.into_inner().is_empty());
+        element
     }
 
     fn teardown(
         &self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut ViewCtx,
-        element: <Self::Element as xilem_core::ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
+        mut element: <Self::Element as xilem_core::ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
     ) {
         let mut splice = FlexSplice {
             // Skip the initial spacer which is always present
             ix: 1,
-            element,
+            element: &mut element,
             scratch: AppendVec::default(),
         };
         self.sequence.seq_teardown(view_state, ctx, &mut splice);
@@ -138,13 +139,13 @@ where
     }
 }
 
-struct FlexSplice<'w> {
+struct FlexSplice<'f, 'w> {
     ix: usize,
-    element: WidgetMut<'w, widget::Flex>,
+    element: &'f mut WidgetMut<'w, widget::Flex>,
     scratch: AppendVec<Pod<Box<dyn Widget>>>,
 }
 
-impl ElementSplice<Pod<Box<dyn Widget>>> for FlexSplice<'_> {
+impl<'f> ElementSplice<Pod<Box<dyn Widget>>> for FlexSplice<'f, '_> {
     fn push(&mut self, element: Pod<Box<dyn masonry::Widget>>) {
         self.element.insert_child_pod(self.ix, element.inner);
         // Insert a spacer after the child
diff --git a/xilem/src/view/label.rs b/xilem/src/view/label.rs
index 52c473f67..5dcbed319 100644
--- a/xilem/src/view/label.rs
+++ b/xilem/src/view/label.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use masonry::{
     widget::{self, WidgetMut},
     ArcStr, WidgetPod,
 };
+use xilem_core::ViewElement;
 
 use crate::{Color, MessageResult, Pod, TextAlignment, View, ViewCtx, ViewId};
 
@@ -55,13 +56,13 @@ impl<State, Action> View<State, Action, ViewCtx> for Label {
         (widget_pod.into(), ())
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         (): &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut ViewCtx,
-        mut element: WidgetMut<'_, widget::Label>,
-    ) {
+        mut element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         if prev.label != self.label {
             element.set_text(self.label.clone());
             ctx.mark_changed();
@@ -78,6 +79,7 @@ impl<State, Action> View<State, Action, ViewCtx> for Label {
             element.set_alignment(self.alignment);
             ctx.mark_changed();
         }
+        element
     }
 
     fn teardown(&self, (): &mut Self::ViewState, _: &mut ViewCtx, _: WidgetMut<'_, widget::Label>) {
diff --git a/xilem/src/view/prose.rs b/xilem/src/view/prose.rs
index ea521e840..d88941d27 100644
--- a/xilem/src/view/prose.rs
+++ b/xilem/src/view/prose.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use masonry::{
     widget::{self, WidgetMut},
     ArcStr, WidgetPod,
 };
+use xilem_core::ViewElement;
 
 use crate::{Color, MessageResult, Pod, TextAlignment, View, ViewCtx, ViewId};
 
@@ -57,13 +58,13 @@ impl<State, Action> View<State, Action, ViewCtx> for Prose {
         (widget_pod.into(), ())
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         (): &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut ViewCtx,
-        mut element: WidgetMut<'_, widget::Prose>,
-    ) {
+        mut element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         if prev.label != self.label {
             element.set_text(self.label.clone());
             ctx.mark_changed();
@@ -76,6 +77,7 @@ impl<State, Action> View<State, Action, ViewCtx> for Prose {
             element.set_alignment(self.alignment);
             ctx.mark_changed();
         }
+        element
     }
 
     fn teardown(&self, (): &mut Self::ViewState, _: &mut ViewCtx, _: WidgetMut<'_, widget::Prose>) {
diff --git a/xilem/src/view/textbox.rs b/xilem/src/view/textbox.rs
index 1ec50e6b8..de0834d41 100644
--- a/xilem/src/view/textbox.rs
+++ b/xilem/src/view/textbox.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,8 @@
 // Copyright 2024 the Xilem Authors
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 
-use masonry::{
-    text2::TextBrush,
-    widget::{self, WidgetMut},
-    WidgetPod,
-};
-use xilem_core::View;
+use masonry::{text2::TextBrush, widget, WidgetPod};
+use xilem_core::{View, ViewElement};
 
 use crate::{Color, MessageResult, Pod, TextAlignment, ViewCtx, ViewId};
 
@@ -82,13 +78,13 @@ impl<State: 'static, Action: 'static> View<State, Action, ViewCtx> for Textbox<S
         })
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         _: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut ViewCtx,
-        mut element: WidgetMut<widget::Textbox>,
-    ) {
+        mut element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         // Unlike the other properties, we don't compare to the previous value;
         // instead, we compare directly to the element's text. This is to handle
         // cases like "Previous data says contents is 'fooba', user presses 'r',
@@ -109,6 +105,7 @@ impl<State: 'static, Action: 'static> View<State, Action, ViewCtx> for Textbox<S
             element.set_alignment(self.alignment);
             ctx.mark_changed();
         }
+        element
     }
 
     fn teardown(
diff --git a/xilem_core/examples/filesystem.rs b/xilem_core/examples/filesystem.rs
index e45bff2e3..bf6026a8e 100644
--- a/xilem_core/examples/filesystem.rs
+++ b/xilem_core/examples/filesystem.rs
@@ -163,21 +163,22 @@ impl<State, Action> View<State, Action, ViewCtx> for File {
         (path.into(), ())
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         _view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut ViewCtx,
-        element: <Self::Element as xilem_core::ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
+        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         if prev.name != self.name {
             let new_path = ctx.current_folder_path.join(&*self.name);
             let _ = std::fs::rename(&element, &new_path);
             *element = new_path;
         }
         if self.contents != prev.contents {
-            let _ = std::fs::write(element, self.contents.as_bytes());
+            let _ = std::fs::write(&element, self.contents.as_bytes());
         }
+        element
     }
 
     fn teardown(
diff --git a/xilem_core/examples/user_interface.rs b/xilem_core/examples/user_interface.rs
index 1c3ff27bd..3efed20b6 100644
--- a/xilem_core/examples/user_interface.rs
+++ b/xilem_core/examples/user_interface.rs
@@ -68,14 +68,15 @@ impl<State, Action> View<State, Action, ViewCtx> for Button {
         )
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         _prev: &Self,
         _view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         _ctx: &mut ViewCtx,
-        _element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
+        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         // Nothing to do
+        element
     }
 
     fn teardown(
diff --git a/xilem_core/src/any_view.rs b/xilem_core/src/any_view.rs
index 0a0e606b8..c2fdb53a6 100644
--- a/xilem_core/src/any_view.rs
+++ b/xilem_core/src/any_view.rs
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ pub trait AnyView<State, Action, Context, Element: crate::ViewElement> {
 
     fn dyn_build(&self, ctx: &mut Context) -> (Element, AnyViewState);
 
-    fn dyn_rebuild(
+    fn dyn_rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         dyn_state: &mut AnyViewState,
         ctx: &mut Context,
         prev: &dyn AnyView<State, Action, Context, Element>,
-        element: Element::Mut<'_>,
-    );
+        element: Element::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> Element::Mut<'a>;
 
     /// Returns `Element::Mut<'el>` so that the element can be
     /// returned and replaced in `dyn_rebuild`, if needed
@@ -78,13 +78,13 @@ where
         )
     }
 
-    fn dyn_rebuild(
+    fn dyn_rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         dyn_state: &mut AnyViewState,
         ctx: &mut Context,
         prev: &dyn AnyView<State, Action, Context, DynamicElement>,
-        mut element: <DynamicElement as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
+        mut element: <DynamicElement as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <DynamicElement as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         if let Some(prev) = prev.as_any().downcast_ref() {
             // If we were previously of this type, then do a normal rebuild
             DynamicElement::with_downcast(element, |element| {
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ where
                 ctx.with_id(ViewId::new(dyn_state.generation), move |ctx| {
                     self.rebuild(prev, state, ctx, element);
                 });
-            });
+            })
         } else {
             // Otherwise, teardown the old element, then replace the value
             element = prev.dyn_teardown(dyn_state, ctx, element);
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ where
             let (new_element, view_state) =
                 ctx.with_id(ViewId::new(dyn_state.generation), |ctx| self.build(ctx));
             dyn_state.inner_state = Box::new(view_state);
-            DynamicElement::replace_inner(element, new_element);
+            DynamicElement::replace_inner(element, new_element)
         }
     }
     fn dyn_teardown<'el>(
@@ -175,14 +175,14 @@ where
         self.dyn_build(ctx)
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut Context,
-        element: <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
-        self.dyn_rebuild(view_state, ctx, prev, element);
+        element: <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
+        self.dyn_rebuild(view_state, ctx, prev, element)
     }
 
     fn teardown(
@@ -221,14 +221,14 @@ where
         self.dyn_build(ctx)
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut Context,
-        element: <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
-        self.dyn_rebuild(view_state, ctx, prev, element);
+        element: <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
+        self.dyn_rebuild(view_state, ctx, prev, element)
     }
 
     fn teardown(
@@ -266,14 +266,14 @@ where
         self.dyn_build(ctx)
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut Context,
-        element: <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
-        self.dyn_rebuild(view_state, ctx, prev, element);
+        element: <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
+        self.dyn_rebuild(view_state, ctx, prev, element)
     }
 
     fn teardown(
@@ -311,14 +311,14 @@ where
         self.dyn_build(ctx)
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut Context,
-        element: <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
-        self.dyn_rebuild(view_state, ctx, prev, element);
+        element: <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as crate::ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
+        self.dyn_rebuild(view_state, ctx, prev, element)
     }
 
     fn teardown(
diff --git a/xilem_core/src/view.rs b/xilem_core/src/view.rs
index 0bb9e4705..802b2c16c 100644
--- a/xilem_core/src/view.rs
+++ b/xilem_core/src/view.rs
@@ -46,13 +46,13 @@ pub trait View<State, Action, Context: ViewPathTracker>: 'static {
     fn build(&self, ctx: &mut Context) -> (Self::Element, Self::ViewState);
 
     /// Update `element` based on the difference between `self` and `prev`.
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut Context,
-        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    );
+        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>;
 
     /// Handle `element` being removed from the tree.
     ///
@@ -129,14 +129,14 @@ impl<State, Action, Context: ViewPathTracker, V: View<State, Action, Context> +
     fn build(&self, ctx: &mut Context) -> (Self::Element, Self::ViewState) {
         self.deref().build(ctx)
     }
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut Context,
-        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
-        self.deref().rebuild(prev, view_state, ctx, element);
+        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
+        self.deref().rebuild(prev, view_state, ctx, element)
     }
     fn teardown(
         &self,
@@ -168,15 +168,18 @@ impl<State, Action, Context: ViewPathTracker, V: View<State, Action, Context> +
     fn build(&self, ctx: &mut Context) -> (Self::Element, Self::ViewState) {
         self.deref().build(ctx)
     }
-    fn rebuild(
+
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         ctx: &mut Context,
-        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
+        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         if !Arc::ptr_eq(self, prev) {
-            self.deref().rebuild(prev, view_state, ctx, element);
+            self.deref().rebuild(prev, view_state, ctx, element)
+        } else {
+            element
         }
     }
     fn teardown(
diff --git a/xilem_core/src/views/memoize.rs b/xilem_core/src/views/memoize.rs
index 185a2e20c..6e14c65a5 100644
--- a/xilem_core/src/views/memoize.rs
+++ b/xilem_core/src/views/memoize.rs
@@ -64,17 +64,20 @@ where
         (element, memoize_state)
     }
 
-    fn rebuild(
+    fn rebuild<'a>(
         &self,
         prev: &Self,
         view_state: &mut Self::ViewState,
         cx: &mut Context,
-        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'_>,
-    ) {
+        element: <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a>,
+    ) -> <Self::Element as ViewElement>::Mut<'a> {
         if std::mem::take(&mut view_state.dirty) || prev.data != self.data {
             let view = (self.child_cb)(&self.data);
-            view.rebuild(&view_state.view, &mut view_state.view_state, cx, element);
+            let el = view.rebuild(&view_state.view, &mut view_state.view_state, cx, element);
             view_state.view = view;
+            el
+        } else {
+            element
         }
     }