Lotus question

I know there are other flexibility threads, if you can redirect me or just help out I'd appreciate it.

Been working on my flexibility 20-30 minutes a day minimum. Haven't been able to comfortably get into lotus since I had my meniscus repaired. Butterfly stretch I'm damn near to the floor, but lotus is tough if at all. Then last night my friend easily got into lotus, but doing the butterfly he was like a fuckin v....any idea what part I need to start stretching more or what stretch really helped you?

I started stretching on all my down time. While watching tv, while sitting in a chair, no matter what I was doing, If I wasn't actively walking or doing something I would be in a stretching position. With that said, it was very minimal intensity. If I did a butterfly I'd simply let gravity do the work, not pushing down with my hands. The reason is I wasn't warmed up, I didnt have the blood flowing to my joints and ligaments like I would after a roll. If you force stretch when you're not warm you are going to possibly cause damage and you won't see lasting results. That is a good way to maintain, but for lasting results do a quick warmup drill or wait until after a roll and spend 15-30 minutes stretching after the roll. You will be a ton more flexible due to blood flow and your gains will be better and last longer. I did that for probably 2-3 months and could hit lotus.

Yeah butterfly opens the hips but lotus seems to rotate them in the socket more. They are similar but different.

I personally stretch using a wide range of hip motions. I move my legs and feet all through the entire range of motion using my hands and arms to push and pull things around. I do this slowly and just feel out the entire joint as much as I can, pulling and stretching everywhere I can. I pull my feet to my chest, to my face, I put the sole of my feet against my cheak, I pull my legs behind my head. I just kind of free-style stretch the joint.

That's in addition to the traditional stretching of butterfly lotus splits and so on.

Also I know it gets said a lot, and I say it a lot, but yoga can do incredible things for your flexibility if you train it regularly enough. The hot variety is best in my experience. The only drawback is the cost of yoga classes.