Self regulatory loops in random network

In my original network, I have self regulatory loop for 2 nodes. Keeping the degree for each node same as that of original network, I wanted to create random network. In this case, should I give 2 as degree for nodes that has self regulatory loops. If I give 2 as degree for self regulatory nodes, random network had a path length of 4, while that of original network had a path length of 2. Should I give a degree of 1 for nodes with self regulatory loops in random network? How to deal with self regulatory loops in random network?

Any suggestions

Thanks

Priya