med can subdivide (triangle) meshes but it can't keep the coarse low poly cage around to work with. that's the point of subdivision surface modeling.

i had to use 3dsmax for half a year at a previous job and my impression is that i don't really like it. (maybe because i started learning 3d with other tools like houdini and maya.) 3dsmax for sure is very powerful though and i am sure learning it will be fun and enlightening for you if you only have used med before.