First...WOW! You look amazing! Congrats on your weight loss.
As for the jeans, I'm in the 'mid-rise' category. I can't stand high-rise as I'm still a pear with plenty of width to my lower half (I was soooooo hoping it would go away...it didn't!) and a long waist (low rise gives me plumber butt while
STANDING!). But, the mid-rise fits great & I don't feel like I'm constantly hiking them up.
Also, brands definitely fit different from one another, so try, try, try! I really like the INC brand (Macy's). Lots of cute choices & cuts.
Good luck. The quest for the perfect pair of jeans is never-ending!!

Fun to shop in all those smaller sizes, though!